Manila, Aug. 17 -- The Philippines ended its campaign in the FIVB Volleyball Girls' U17 World Championship on a high note Sunday, beating Czechia, 21-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-22, at the Parque Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile.

The Alas Pilipinas Girls, bannered by Caera Celis, Xyz Rayco, Jhaynna Bulandres, Irish Mahinay and Khaira Manzano, placed 15th, which is the country's best performance in any volleyball world championship.

The Philippines finished 19th at the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship, and 18th at the 1974 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship in Mexico.

Celis noted that while every moment of the tournament was special, nothing beats the feeling of winning.

"We learned a lot from every game, even when we made mista...