Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino shine for Alas Pilipinas during the AVC Challenge Cup 2024, winning two individual awards.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas not only earned a historic bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup, but two of its players also became part of the tournament’s mythical team.
Alas team captain Jia De Guzman, who showed her brilliance all tournament long, earned her first international Best Setter award after the Philippines won its first-ever medal in 63 years.
“Well, I’m so overwhelmed right now. I’m most proud that the team won bronze. This is the biggest achievement for all of us. de Guzman said.
READ: Jia De Guzman relishes playing with ‘talented’ Alas Pilipinas
Jia De Guzman was named as Best Setter of the #AVCChallengeCup
Angel Canino won the Best Opposite Spiker award. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/YuS4QEFfkk— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 29, 2024
“We came in this tournament not expecting anything and now we’re bringing home a bronze medal so I’m really proud of every member of the team, and it wouldn’t have been possible if one of us was missing,” said De Guzman.
The eight-time PVL Best Setter attributed her first international award to all of her coaches.
“And this one, the Best Setter award, is a big bonus, and I owe it to all the experiences I’ve had ever since I started playing, to all the coaches and players I’ve encountered. They made me who I am today. So, thank you very much,” she said.
Angel Canino, on the other hand, capped her stellar national team debut with the Best Opposite Spiker award.
READ: Alas Pilipinas wins AVC Challenge Cup bronze, beats Australia anew
It was Canino’s first time to play as an opposite hitter but that didn’t stop her from shining as an Alas Pilipinas player, emerging as the team’s leading scorer.
Vietnam’s champion Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen won the MVP.
The best outside hitters were Australia’s Caitlin Tipping and Kazakhstan’s Sana Anarkulova.
Vietnam’s Le Thanh Thuy and Kazakhstan’s Yuliya Yakimova were the Best Middle Blockers of the tournament.
Vietnamese Nguyen Khanh Dang was the Best Libero.