SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at the AVC Challenge Cup 2024
Alas Pilipinas women’s team during a AVC Challenge Cup 2024 game against India. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas overcame another slow start before handing India its first defeat, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18, and getting its second win in the AVC Challenge Cup in front of another electric crowd at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Angel Canino continued to shine in Pilipinas jersey as she, once again, led the charge for the Filipinos, who solidified their semifinal chances with a group lead of 2-0 record in Pool A.
Canino reset her national team career-high with 22 points built on 19 attacks, two aces, and a block, following a 17-point effort in their four-set win over Australia.
READ: AVC Cup: Angel Canino shines as opposite hitter in Alas Pilipinas debut
The Philippines, the lone unbeaten squad in Pool A, eyes its third win against Iran (1-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. before wrapping up its group campaign against Chinese Taipei (0-3) on Sunday evening. Only the top two teams will advance to the knockout semifinals on Tuesday next week.
“Every time that we’re gonna play here, I’m sure that they’re gonna show something better than the day before. Even if the guys are a little bit tired, they have the specific ingredients that we need,” said Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito. “They are really committed to play. They are really happy because a lot of fans are supporting them and they want to show up every single day better.”
Eya Laure backstopped Canino with another 17-point outing, while star playmaker and captain Jia De Guzman stabilized the squad through her leadership and volleyball brilliance.
“What I’m really proud of is my team because everyone was really ready to step up and they’re quick to make in-game adjustments,” said De Guzman. “India was very challenging, a little bit more challenging than Australia because we were scouted based on our game yesterday. I’m just really proud of this team.”
Thea Gagate and Fifi Sharma formed another formidable frontline with 12 points each, while Sisi Rondina added nine points.
Alas dominated the last two sets, especially the fourth, starting with a 10-3 spread and stretching it to a 19-13 lead off Laure’s ace.
READ: AVC Cup: Sisi Rondina finds a way to deliver vs taller Australia
Libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig even scored a lucky dig for her lone point, bringing the team to match point, 24-17, before Laure drilled the game-winning hit.
After dropping the opening set, the Philippines was once again quick to get its act together as Sisi Rondina’s through-the-block kill and De Guzman helped the home team pull away in the second set with a 21-18 lead.
Alas Pilipinas setter Jia De Guzman in action in the AVC Challenge Cup 2024. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Canino took charge late in the second set, scoring the last four points of Alas to equalize the game to one set apiece.
Alas took full control of the third frame as Canino gave the team a 21-14 spread. Arah Panique, the youngest player of the squad, provided quality minutes when she checked in, scoring back-to-back attacks to reach set point, 24-16, before Fifi Sharma closed out the frame with a running attack for a 2-1 match advantage.
India dropped to a 2-1 record, falling to second place in Pool A with Soorya Soorya leading the way with 15 points. Radha Anagha and Anusree Poyilil added 13 and 12 points, respectively.