SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at the AVC Challenge Cup 2024
Faith Nisperos and Alas Pilipinas in a AVC Challenge Cup 2024 game against Chinese Taipei. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Faith Nisperos proved that she can deliver for Alas Pilipinas whenever her number gets called, shining in her first start to complete a four-game sweep in Pool A ahead of the AVC Challenge Cup 2024 semifinals on Sunday evening at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Nisperos delivered eight points, after playing the whole game of the Philippines’ 25-13, 25-21, 25-18 win over the winless Chinese Taipei that sealed its top spot in Pool A with a 4-0 record and forged a knockout semis duel against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.
“I want to maximize every chance I can get and get all the experience I can get, and show my skills every chance I can get,” the young wing spiker said after successfully filling in the position of the resting leading scorer Angel Canino.
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“I’m really grateful to get a chance and also my other teammates who played today,” she added.
The Akari charger sat out in Alas’ first two wins and got a chance to play in the third set against Iran, delivering the last two points that sealed the team’s historic first semifinal appearance in any AVC tournament in 63 years.
When coach Jorge Souza De Brito told her to start, Nisperos accepted the challenge and conspired with Eya Laure and former Ateneo teammate Vanie Gandler to beat the young Chinese Taipei team.
READ: AVC Cup: Alas Pilipinas completes Pool A sweep ahead of semis
“We have to accept every challenge and we’re going to face Kazakhstan [in the semis]. “We will make whatever effort we can do and show our teamwork. That would be our mindset [on Tuesday],” said Nisperos.
The lone holdover of last year’s Philippine Challenge Cup team thanked captain and setter Jia De Guzman for trusting her and boosting her confidence.
“It is definitely a one-time experience to be with Ate Jia inside the court, and her calling me and trusting me was a very huge confidence boost for me. If she trusts me, I have to trust myself, too,” Nisperos said.
After receiving an opportunity to play, Nisperos vows to stay ready once De Brito calls her number against Kazakhstan and for the remainder of the tournament.
“I got a huge confidence booster because of my teammates, my coaches, and of course, all of the supporters here. I’m actually very enlightened playing [on Tuesday],” Nisperos said.