By el Amigo
MANILA – Alas Pilipinas Girls will try to extend their memorable campaign in the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship when they meet Japan in the tournament’s classification phase in Santiago, Chile.
The Filipinas are scheduled to play Japan at 8 a.m. Saturday, Philippine time, at Parque Estadio Nacional as they begin competing for ninth to 16th place.
The Philippines missed the quarterfinal round following a straight-set defeat to Korea, 21-25, 18-25, 14-25, but its performance in the preliminary stage remains a significant achievement.
Alas Pilipinas posted two wins in five pool matches, defeating Mexico, ranked eighth in the world, in four sets and sweeping Tunisia, the No. 20-ranked team.
With the medal round no longer within reach, the young Filipinas are shifting their focus to finishing the tournament strongly and gaining valuable international experience.
Mauricio, who at 14 is among the youngest players on the roster, said the team remains committed to giving its best in every remaining match.
“We will give it everything we have, do our best for the team,” said Mauricio, an opposite hitter from San Felipe Neri Catholic School.
Ramos, meanwhile, is embracing her role as libero and sees the classification matches as another opportunity to help the squad.
“We’re proud that we can contribute to the team, even in small ways,” Ramos said.
The Philippine roster also includes Celis, Rayco, Gale, Lleses, Manzano, Mahinay, Herbon, Bulandres, Hernandez, Teves, Olaguir and Sadia.
Peru, Argentina, Czechia, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Poland are also in the classification group for ninth through 16th places.
The quarterfinals will feature the United States against Italy, China versus Croatia, Chinese Taipei versus Thailand, and Turkiye against Korea.
Brazil, Mexico, Spain and Tunisia will dispute 17th to 20th places, while Egypt, Puerto Rico, Chile and Algeria will compete for 21st to 24th.
