MANILA — Alas Pilipinas showcased their dominance once again, completing a flawless sweep of Pool A in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women.
They overpowered a youthful Chinese Taipei squad with a commanding 25-13, 25-21, 25-18 victory at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday (26 May 2024).
With this impressive performance, the Philippines secured a spotless 4-0 record in pool play, setting the stage for a semifinal showdown against Pool B’s second seed, Kazakhstan, scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the iconic Manila venue.
“We’re here now, and we won’t stop making history for Philippine volleyball,” declared outside spiker Eya Laure, who led the charge with 15 points, including 12 attacks, two aces, and a block.
The upcoming semifinal clash against Kazakhstan holds special significance as it marks a rematch from their encounter in the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship on August 30, 2023, where Kazakhstan emerged victorious in a hard-fought five-set battle.
Despite missing key players from their previous lineup, Alas Pilipinas encountered minimal resistance against Chinese Taipei, dominating from the onset with a convincing 25-13 opening set. Jia De Guzman’s remarkable serving run, highlighted by two consecutive aces, paved the way for Alas Pilipinas’ early lead.
Vanie Gandler, stepping up in her second consecutive start with Sisi Rondina on the bench, contributed 12 points primarily from powerful spikes. Faith Nisperos, assuming the role of Angel Canino for the entire match, delivered nine points, while Thea Gagate showcased her defensive prowess with nine points, including three crucial blocks.
On the other side, Chinese Taipei, anchored by the duo of Hsu Fang-Min and Hsu Heng-Yun, fought valiantly but ultimately fell short. The Taiwanese squad will now face Singapore in the battle for ninth place on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
(el Amigo/MNM)