THE Alas Pilipinas’s breakthrough bronze medal-clinching performance in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women that ended Sunday was the first stop of the rejuvenated women’s volleyball program’s mid- and long-term goals.

“The intention is to keep this team intact with additional athletes from the college ranks,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara on Thursday, the morning after Alas Pilipinas repeated over a taller Australian side, 25-23, 25-15, 25-7, to secure a historic podium finish fashioned out before another wildly-cheering jampacked crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“It’s a breakthrough, it’s historic, and the obvious next step is to keep this team intact and make it stronger and much more competitive,” Suzara said. “And next year, in the SEA Games, I believe we’ll have a very strong fighting chance.”

The 33rd SEA Games will be in Thailand in late 2025.

Suzara also reiterated that the federation wanted Jorge Edson Souza de Brito to remain as head coach of the women’s program—the Brazilian is due to end his tour of duty in the country next month and has been assigned to Chinese Taipei under the FIVB empowerment program.

De Brito is serving out the last of his three-year FIVB contract and saved his best for last—the Alas Pilipinas were put together barely two weeks before the AVC Challenge Cup for Women but immediately created an impact with their chemistry and teamwork.

Staying put in the national team are Jia Morado-de Guzman, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Eya Laure, Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, Jennifer Nierva, Sisi Rondina and Vanessa Gandler who all play in the Premiere Volleyball League.

From the collegiate ranks are De La Salle’s Angel Canino, Julia Coronel and Thea Gagate and joining them are National University’s Aly Solomon and Bella Belen and University of the East’s Casiey Dongallo.

“It’s a potent mix,” said Suzara of the Alas Pilipinas’s combination of veterans and youngsters who will guarantee succession in the organization.

Before Sunday night, the Philippines never finished better than fourth place in an Asian level competition but had its hey days in the SEA Games as gold medalist from 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1987 and the last in 1993.

Anusree Poyilil Kambrath of India

SOORYA SOORYA added more meaning to the position of middle blocker as India streaked to a 25-19, 25-13, 25-16 over Chinese-Taipei on Thursday to remain unscathed in two matches in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“I’m feeling very happy that we won, and we are hoping that we can get more wins,” said the 6-foot Soorya who had eight blocks in India’s second straight victory in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“My teammates are very supportive and our coaches and the Indians in the audience were very supportive,” added Soorya after the one-hour and 20-minute match that drew a good crowd of Indian expats.

“This time, we’re going to win this tournament,” she added, referring to India finishing fourth in last year’s Challenge Cup in East Java, Indonesia.

Soorya had seven hits for 15 points while Kambrath Anusree scattered 13 points — all attacks — in the Pool A match of the tournament supported by Meralco, PLDT, Smart, Akari, AyalaLand, Nuvali, Foton, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Maynilad, Makati Shangri-La, Rebisco, Cignal, OneSports, OneSports+ and Pilipinas Live.

Up next for India are the Alas Pilipinas — who played Australia Thursday night— at 7 p.m. on Friday.

“Playing against the home team is very difficult because the audience support will go to the Philippines,” Soorya said. “But we will try to overcome that.”

Chinese-Taipei remained winless in two matches.

Earlier on Thursday, Hong Kong bounced back from opening day loss by repulsing Indonesia, 25-22, 26-24, 25-18, to level its record to 1-1 won-lost in Pool B.

Hong Kong yielded to defending champion Vietnam, 13-25, 17-25, 16-25, on opening day Wednesday.

The other matches on Friday pits Iran against Chinese-Taipei at 10 a.m. in Pool A and Kazakhstan meets Vietnam at 1 p.m. and Singapore clashes with Indonesia at 4 p.m. in Pool B.

INDIA and Kazakhstan won in straight sets to kick off action in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Women on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

India encountered a strong third-set resistance from Iran before wrapping up a 25-17, 25-23, 25-21 win in Pool A that took an hour and 24 minutes, while Kazakhstan had a practically easier time against Singapore, 25-15, 25-9, 25-17, behind Kristina Belova’s 15 points in Pool B action. 

“I feel very proud and happy,” India’s team captain Kovat Shaji Jini said.

“The Iran team’s very good but we focused on our service and digging and we got good results.”

Outside spiker Anagha Radhakrishnan was consistent for India all match long and finished with 13 kills and three service aces for 16 points and outside hitter Kambrath Anusree scattered 16 points on top of 13 kills and Shaalini Saravanan had 12 points.

“We were fourth place but now we want to win a medal in this championships so,” said Jini, referring to last year’s tournament in East Java where Vietnam won the crown over host Indonesia and the Indians losing to Chinese Taipei in the bronze medal match.

India goes for payback against Chinese-Taipei at 1 p.m. on Thursday in the event organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by President Ramon “Tats” Suzara and supported by Meralco, PLDT, Smart, Akari, AyalaLand, Nuvali, Foton, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Maynilad, Makati Shangri-La, Rebisco, Cignal, OneSports, OneSports+ and PilipinasLive.

Belova had y eight kills and seven aces for the Kazakhs, who weren’t exactly used to playing in a different time zone.

“It’s very difficult in terms of time difference because it’s 7 in the morning back home,” Kazakhstan team captain Sana Anarkulova said.

“It’s so early and our people are still asleep, but we’ll try to perform well.”

Defending champion Vietnam played Hong Kong and Australia faced Chinese Taipei in the other games set late Wednesday.

Pilipinas Alas debuts against Australia on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Pool A after Indonesia takes on Hong Kong at 10 a.m. in Pool B and Vietnam clashes with Singapore in Pool B at 4 p.m.