Alas girls’ fate on the line vs Venezuela in U17 Worlds

Alas Pilipinas girls’ Sharina Rhyza Lleses tries to score against Peru in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship in Chile.– VOLLEYBALL WORLD

SAN FELIPE, Chile — Alas Pilipinas faces a must-win showdown with Venezuela at the close of pool play on Wednesday (Manila time) in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship at Liceo Mixto San Felipe.

The Philippines went down swinging against World No. 6 Peru in a 26-28, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20 loss on Tuesday that dealt a huge blow to Alas’ bid for a round of 16 spot.

Peru joined China in the round of 16, sending Alas Pilipinas Girls to a precarious situation to reach the knockout phase.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls face crucial test vs Peru in U17 Worlds

China overpowered Mexico, 25-12, 25-15, 25-17, to make it four victories without dropping a set, locking up the top spot, while Peru holds provisional second with a 3-1 win-loss record in Pool B.

Venezuela and the Philippines both stand at 2-2, with the Venezuelans occupying the No. 3 spot on seven points, just a point ahead of Alas girls, who are in fourth.

The top four from each six-team pool advance to the next round.

Mexico is running fifth with a 1-3 record and three points, but can still raise its total to six with a three- or four-set victory over Tunisia.

For Alas girls, a convincing victory over Venezuela will vault them back up to No. 2. Even a five-set loss would yield one point and earn them a spot in the Round of 16.

A three- or four-set defeat, coupled with a Mexico sweep of Tunisia, however, would relegate the Philippines to the classification phase.

READ: Alas Pilipinas squads continue history-making ways

Korea leads Pool D at 4-0, Italy is in second with a 3-1 record, followed by Chinese Taipei and Puerto Rico at 2-2.

Alas Pilipinas had a solid start but struggled to respond when Peru got going amid the blare of horns and a raucous crowd.

The Philippines blew a 10-point lead in the third set, at one point allowing Peru to reel off eight straight.

Nahir Cueva Coaguila led Peru with 19 points on 17 attacks and two blocks, Fernanda De Los Angeles Pinto Tellez added 16 points on 13 attacks and three aces, while Cielo Yamileth Quispe Venegas had 10 points on nine attacks and a block.

Fourteen-year-old Sharina Rhyza Lleses led Alas Pilipinas with 18 points, all on attacks, Caera Celis had 17 points on 15 attacks and two aces, while Xyz Rayco scored 12 on 10 attacks and two aces.