Arah Panique shows her worth for Alas Pilipinas despite loss
Arah Panique provides spark for Alas Pilipinas in loss to Kazakhstan in the AVC Challenge Cup 2024 semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas may have fallen short of reaching the AVC Challenge Cup finals, but its roster continues to show a bright future with Arah Panique proving her worth.
Panique was a revelation from Alas’ bench as she lifted her team from an 11-point deficit that still ended in a 23-25, 21-25, 14-25 semifinal loss in front of home crowd of 5,500 at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Article continues after this advertisementThe National University role player was the lone bright spot for Alas, finishing with a team-high 14 points built on 10 attacks and four blocks.
READ: For just P15,000 each to play, Alas Pilipinas players earn fans’ hearts
“Pinakita ko lang po kung ano yung kaya ko and tiwala po sa sarili na sinasabi lagi ng mga ates na magtiwala lang palagi sa sarili and sa ibang kasama po,” Panique told reporters shorty after the match.
Article continues after this advertisement“Especially kay Ate Jia [De Guzman], nagbigay talaga siya ng tiwala and sa mga coaches na nagtitiwala din po sakin na ipasok po ako and always ready lang yung sarili.”
Arah Panique after her breakout game for Alas Pilipinas. #AVCChallengeCup2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/RkDCbW4ZSb
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 28, 2024
When Alas trailed 10-21 in the opening set, Panique subbed in for Sisi Rondina and scored six points to spark a 12-2 run and cut down the deficit to one, 22-23.
But that burst of a comeback wasn’t enough as the Kazakhs still drew the first blood and kept their momentum to forge a winner-take-all Final against defending champion Vietnam on Wednesday evening.
“Sobrang lakas na po ng loob na, ‘ay pinasok ako kailangan ko ibigay yung kaya kong gawin and syempre, pinagkatiwalaan po ako so ipapakita ko lang talaga yung makakaya ko,” said Panique.
READ: Late call-up Panique aims to make an impact for Alas Pilipinas
The Bicolana spiker, who recently capped her rookie year with NU with the UAAP Season 86 championship, was a late addition to the squad after her fellow Lady Bulldogs Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon begged off and University of the East rookie Casiey Dongallo suffered a right arm injury before the tournament.
But Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito had always known that Panique would deliver.
“It was not a surprise for me. They guys who were watching the games in the UAAP know that she has the potential. She’s not under pressure anymore to play under any kind of competition,” De Brito said.
“She’s really comfortable. She’s young, she makes some mistakes but it happens only when the players go inside. So, I’m really proud of her. Not even showing any hesitation to do any actions inside.”
Alas still has a chance to win a bronze against Australia on Wednesday at 4 p.m., hoping to win the country’s first-ever medal in any AVC competition in 63 years.
Panique, dubbed by volleyball fans as Batgirl, is ready to help her country once her number gets called.
“Itong game po yung panghuhugutan ngayon na maging inspirasyon namin na bumawi kami sa [bronze medal] game,” said the Naga City College Foundation high school product.
