Gumabao vows 'never say die' Philippine team will go all out in remaining AVC games

Michele Gumabao, who was a revelation in the Philippine team's sweep loss to China on Tuesday night, vowed the squad will only get stronger and braver as they continue their campaign at the AVC Cup for Women.

The veteran opposite hitter said that they will go out to put up a fight as they try to deliver the country's best finish in the tournament.

"Laban lang, nung pinasok naman namin 'to, alam naman namin 'yung mga kalaban namin. Kilala namin kung ano 'yung caliber nila, kung ano 'yung level nila," said Gumabao, who finished with 11 points in the defeat.

"So kami ang sabi lang namin, never say die. Laban lang until the end and we're happy naman na ayun 'yung napapakita namin every single game."

In the team's past two games, the Creamline-bannered nationals gave their opponents a run for their money. They almost stole the third set against Vietnam but still fell, 25-19, 25-17, 31-29, before again falling short against China, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20.

With the results of the past two matches, Gumabao said she is seeing improvements on their side ahead of their clashes against Iran on Wednesday and South Korea on Thursday to wrap up the preliminary round.

"At least nandyan 'yung improvement every single day so itong three days na tuloy-tuloy mate-test din namin 'yung galaw ng team," she added.

The 5-foot-10 spiker added that they are bullish on their next two games, which will determine whether they can enter the quarterfinals or not.

"Since maganda naman 'yung pinakita namin nung first two games, we're very hopeful na mas maganda pa 'yung kakalaban na results for the Iran and the Korea games."

—JMB, GMA News