Vietnam star T4 all praises for Alas Pilipinas, Jia de Guzman
MANILA, Philippines — Trần Thị Thanh Thúy had nothing but praises for Alas Pilipinas, especially setter Jia De Guzman, after their showdown in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup.
Thuy, dubbed as T4, returned to action from injury and only scored two points but still made a huge impact for Vietnam, which eliminated the host Philippines, 25-14, 25-22, 25-21, on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“The Philippines’ performance is very well because they have a good connection with the setter,” said Thuy, who checked in midway through the second set and started in the third. FULL STORY
Sisi Rondina soaks up lessons from Alas Pilipinas loss to Vietnam
MANILA, Philippines — Sisi Rondina stood tall against the Vietnamese leading the gallant stand of Alas Pilipinas in the last two sets only for their FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup campaign to end after just one game.
Rondina led Alas’ charge with 15 points, especially in keeping Vietnam within striking distance but the Filipinos still absorbed a 14-25, 22-25, 21-25 loss after her missed attack in the final set Friday evening before a soldout Ninoy Aquino Stadium. FULL STORY
Jema Galanza happy to join Alas Pilipinas despite minor injury
MANILA, Philippines — Jema Galanza was grateful for the chance to suit up for Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup despite the last-minute changes to her position due to a minor foot injury in practice.
Days before the tournament, Galanza rolled her ankle in practice, which led to her returning to a spiker position despite being initially listed as libero in time for their game against Vietnam. Middle blocker Cherry Nunag taking the second libero role. FULL STORY
Bella Belen, Angel Canino relish first team-up at Alas Pilipinas
MANILA, Philippines — From UAAP rivals to national team teammates, Bella Belen and Angel Canino relished their first team-up despite Alas Pilipinas losing to Vietnam in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup on Friday evening at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Philippines witnessed the first team-up of the two UAAP rookie MVPs in their 14-25, 22-25, 21-25 loss to Vietnam in front of a soldout crowd.
Although Alas’ Volleyball Nations League (VNL) qualifier ended in just a game, the newly-formed duo showed a glimpse of what they can offer with Canino pouring in 12 points and Belen only scoring two on top of a steady floor defense in the first two sets. FULL STORY
Alas Pilipinas loses to Vietnam, bows out of FIVB Challenger Cup
Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen and Vietnam shut the doors on Alas Pilipinas’ hopes of qualifying for the Volleyball Nations League next year after a 25-14, 25-22, 25-21 victory Friday night in the FIVB Challenger Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Tuyen peppered the Filipinas with 30 points built on 27 attack points and three blocks to show Alas the exit after just one game in the knockout quarterfinals. FULL STORY
WATCH: T4 on returning to action for Vietnam in the #FIVBChallengerCup. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/tXOKu7GoVh
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
WATCH: Alas coach Jorge De Brito on the team’s next plans. #FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/yyQhpipWrP
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
WATCH: Jia De Guzman on growing old with the Philippine women’s volleyball team. #FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/rsztcG9YLx
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
WATCH: Jema Galanza on her return to Alas Pilipinas. #FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/5LFaYm1mpy
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
WATCH: Angel Canino on teaming up with Bella Belen for the first time. #FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/yj57zI3sak
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
WATCH: Sisi Rondina after Alas’ gallant stand was denied by Vietnam. #FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/XaQDmo5BL1
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
LIVE UPDATES: Alas Pilipinas vs Vietnam
–By Lance Agcaoili
Alas Pilipinas tries to survive in the FIVB Challenger Cup, taking on AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam in a knockout match.
Jen Nierva and Eya Laure join Alas Pilipinas’ huddle. #FIVBChallengerCup @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/SVkE9OjOVs
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 5, 2024
Alas’ #FIVBChallengerCup ends. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/3J0mw66y64
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
Alas Pilipinas ends its #FIVBChallengerCup stint in the quarterfinal.
FINAL: Vietnam sweeps the Philippines, 25-14, 25-22, 25-21, to advance to the knockout semifinal against Czechia on Saturday. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/sdQOHbABrl
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
THIRD SET
- Alas Pilipinas ends its #FIVBChallengerCup stint in the quarterfinal. Vietnam moves on to the semis.
- Vannie Gandler ties the set anew, 20-20
- Thea Gagate quick! Alas still ahead, 19-18.
- Sisi Rondina gives Alas Pilipinas an 18-17 lead.
- Gandler from the back row to tie the third, 14-all.
- ISA NA LANG! Attack error from Thi Bich Tuyen as Vietnam holds a 14-13 lead.
- Angel Canino and Fifi Sharma put Alas within two, 12-10.
- Thea Gagate with a quick attack. Alas down by three, 10-7.
- Vanie Gandler delivers an ace. 8-4, Alas trails.
- 8-2 start by Vietnam in the third set..
SECOND SET
- END OF SET: Vietnam 25, Alas Pilipinas 22. The Filipinos’ gallant stand fall short as the Vietnamese take a commanding two-set advantage
- Canino ace! Alas down by one, 22-23.
- Angel Canino cuts it down to two, 20-22.
- Alas Pilipinas pulls within 20-18 after an error from Vietnam.
- 3-0 run by Vietnam with a 17-14 lead here.
- Fifi Sharma ties it again at 14! Jema Galanza checks in.
- Fifi Sharma with another equalizer! 13-all in the second set.
- Alas Pilipinas ties the game at 12 all after another error from Vietnam. But T4 checks in!
- Rotation error by Vietnam. Alas within one, 11-12.
- Bella Belen from the back row! Alas trails, 10-12.
- Another strong start for Vietnam, going 9-4 and not letting the Philippines get momentum.
FIRST SET
- END OF SET: Vietnam 25, Alas Pilipinas 14
- Jia de Guzman nails a 1-2 play to cut Alas’ deficit to five, 18-13.
- Ace for Vietnam! They continue to dominate Alas with a 17-11 lead in the first set.
- Bella Belen scores her first point in an Alas Pilipinas jersey. Sisi Rondina off the block. Alas Pilipinas trails 11-8.
- Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen scores three straight points as Vietnam leads Alas in the first set, 11-6.
- Vietnam zooms to a 6-2 lead, but Fifi Sharma stops the bleeding for Alas Pilipinas to cut down the lead.
- Alas Pilipinas scores first point but Vietnam with back to back fast points to lead 2-1.
- Alas Pilipinas starting line-up vs Vietnam: Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Sisi Rondina, Jia De Guzman, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, and Dawn Catindig
We're a few minutes away from the first serve. Laban, Alas! Laban, Pilipinas! 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/pfHEA3AtRW
— Volleyball Philippines (@volleyball_phi) July 5, 2024
T4 warms up with the Vietnamese spikers
T4 didn’t start for Vietnam. #FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/AlkWmTjhpo
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
Belen-Canino as Alas Pilipinas starters!
Starting line-up: Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Sisi Rondina, Jia De Guzman, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, and Dawn Catindig#FIVBChallengerCup @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/nyqbkwt4Q3
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 5, 2024
Cherry Nunag as Alas Pilipinas’ second libero.#FIVBChallengerCup @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/3dVNlsVPJ0
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 5, 2024
Jema Galanza warms up with a floor defense drill. #FIVBChallengerCup @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/kEG0lOImti
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 5, 2024
Bella Belen in Alas Pilipinas jersey.
Belen will team up with Angel Canino for the first time. #FIVBChallengerCup @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/gUmSlI9gLQ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 5, 2024
Alas Pilipinas starts warming up. #FIVBChallengerCup @INQUIRERSports
📹 @marlocueto pic.twitter.com/p7AkTWGGiC
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 5, 2024
Alas Pilipinas is ready for its knockout quarterfinal game against Vietnam. #FIVBChallengerCup @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/zfgngwTWzM
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 5, 2024
FIVB Challenger Cup: Czechia sweeps Argentina for semis berth
MANILA, Philippines — Czechia sent Argentina packing with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-16 sweep to advance to the FIVB Challenger Cup semifinal on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Michaela Mlejnkova led the charge for the Czechs with 14 points off 13 attacks and a block, while Gabriela Orvosova backstopped her with 12 points including two blocks. FULL STORY
LIVE UPDATES: Czechia vs Argentina
Czechia and Argentina battle in a do-or-die game in the FIVB Challenger Cup with a spot in the semifinals at stake.
FINAL: Czechia sends Argentina packing in straight sets, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, to advance to the semis.
Czechia battles the winner of Philippines-Vietnam on Saturday. #FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/eY2tnaKwoV
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
END OF SET 2: Czechia 25, Argentina 22
Czechia takes a 2-0 lead, inching a set closer to the semis. #FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
END OF SET 1: Czechia 25, Argentina 15#FIVBChallengerCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 5, 2024
Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza won’t play libero in Challenger Cup
MANILA, Philippines — After initially being listed as libero, Jema Galanza is back to her original position as an outside spiker in the FIVB Challenger Cup 2024 on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Two days before their knockout game against AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam, Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito said that Galanza will no longer have to play as libero following a minor foot injury during their preparation.
“She is [doing] better and she’s ok. She will be a regular player,” De Brito told Inquirer Sports. FULL STORY
Missing players, reassigned roles hit Alas Pilipinas with reality check
Coming off the high of a historic achievement, Alas Pilipinas is beginning to feel some of the problems of maintaining a high-profile national pool.
Luckily, the women’s program has a few reinforcements coming its way.
National University (NU) ace and UAAP two-time MVP Bella Belen and multi awarded spiker Jema Galanza will bolster Alas Pilipinas when it takes on Vietnam on Thursday in the FIVB Challenger Cup 2024 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. FULL STORY
After VNL success, PH plays host anew as Challenger Cup fires off
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines looks to continue its string of successful hosting gigs with the FIVB Challenger Cup 2024 for Women from Thursday to Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Behind the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the country will be hosting a third straight international competition this year with the VCC, which serves as a qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League.
Alas Pilipinas will see action in the VCC when it clashes with Vietnam in a knockout game on Friday at 6:30 p.m. following the 3 p.m. match between Argentina and the Czech Republic. FULL STORY
FIVB Challenger Cup 2024 schedule of games July 5
Ninoy Aquino Stadium
3pm – Czechia vs Argentina
6:30pm – Philippines vs Vietnam
SCHEDULE OF PH GAMES HERE.