Alas Pilipinas’ midway fire dies down vs defending champ China in FIVB U17 Worlds debut

Raikkonnen Refol

A hot run, gone cold when it mattered the most.

Alas Pilipinas saw a promising second-set surge slip through its fingers and absorbed a three-set heartbreak at the hands of defending champion and World No. 1 China, 18–25, 21–25, 13–25, in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship

in San Felipe, Chile, Aug. 7.

After suffering opening-set hiccups, the Filipinas refused to fold, showing their fighting spirit as they surged ahead through a commanding run before China pulled away.

Filipina star Caera Celis fueled the offensive charge with 13 points, but even her firepower could not save the squad from the fang of the dragon.

Staring down a 2–6 hole, the Philippines flipped the script, racing to an 8–7 turnaround as Celis delivered timely conversions and pounced on China’s reception woes to close the gap and put the Filipinas within striking distance.

Yet, the blue-clad Chinese extinguished the newfound momentum.

China then channeled its killer instincts, unloading a telling 21–15 blitz behind Chen Ruihan’s blistering kills and the reigning champion’s clutch net defense to take the second set, 25–21.

From there, the Filipinas’ comeback hopes were shattered as China sustained its surge, zooming to a 20–9 lead and never looked back to secure its first pool B win.

Ruihan led the charge for China with 12 points, while Ren Sichin chipped in 11, while Zhao Yuhan and Zhang Yijia added nine apiece.

The Philippines will look to keep their heads up as it locks horns with Mexico on Aug. 8.