Alas Pilipinas’ Faith Nisperos with coach Jorge Souza De Brito in the AVC Challenge Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Faith Nisperos — the lone holdover and go-to scorer of last year’s Philippine women’s national volleyball team in the AVC Challenge Cup — may be playing a limited role in this edition but she is willing to do everything for her team and the country.
Nisperos finally made her Manila Challenge Cup debut, checking in the final set and delivering the last two points that sent Alas Pilipinas to the semifinals after a 25-16, 25-13, 25-15 win over Iran on a rainy Saturday evening in front of 5,000 fans at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“Para sa bayan talaga ang laban na ito. Yun lang ang nasa isip ko talaga,” Nisperos told reporters shortly after getting her moment in front of the home crowd.
READ: AVC Cup: Alas Pilipinas claims historic semis spot, sweeps Iran
Faith Nisperos on delivering the game-winning attack. #AVCChallengeCup @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/4siO75LdxC
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 25, 2024
“I will do everything with every chance thatI can get, kaya nung pinasok po ako all I can think is para sa teammates ko, para sa coaches ko, para sa bayan lalaban ako.”
Alas became the first Philippine team —by any gender— to reach the AVC competition semifinals after winning its first three games in Pool A.
Nisperos believes that it was because of the solid connection between her teammates and coach Jorge Souza De Brito and his coaching staff.
READ: Faith Nisperos upbeat ahead of PH team return with different crew
“Malaking bagay talaga yung teamwork at commitment na binigay sa amin. Talagang guided kami ng aming mga ates and coaches. The teamwork is very evident sa 3-0 na record namin ngayon,” said Nisperos, who stars for the Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League.
“This is a very great mix of veterans and young blood and I think isa din na malaking bagay si ate Jia (de Guzman), very natural leader, a very good setter po talaga, and with the leadership na binibigay ng seniors together with ate Dawn (Macandili-Catindig), talagang nadadala po kami mga young guns.”
And most importantly, Nisperos offers their success to the fans, who braved a rainy evening to cheer Alas.
“We’re in our home court kaya ramdam ko po talaga ‘yung suporta ng buong bayan, ‘yung mga fans very wild kaya sobrang heartwarming po talaga,” she said.
Nisperos vows to stay ready for the nationals as they have a chance to sweep the group stage and clinch the top seed against the also-ran Chinese Taipei on Sunday at 7 p.m.