LIVE: Alas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei AVC Nations Cup semifinals

LIVE: Alas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei AVC Nations Cup semifinals

Alas Pilipinas’ schedule at AVC Nations Cup semifinals

June 13, Thursday (Philippine time)

Alas Pilipinas ends long drought, reaches AVC Nations Cup final

Alas Pilipinas women celebrate a point during the AVC Nations Cup semifinals against Chinese Taipei. The Filipinos advanced to the final. –AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in over six decades, the Philippine women’s volleyball team has reached the championship round in an Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) tournament.

Alas Pilipinas surpassed its historic bronze medal run last year as it weathered Chinese Taipei’s comeback, 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 15-25, 15-12,  to advance to the AVC Women’s Nations Cup final on Friday night at Dong Anh Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In the scary moments of the match when Alas blew a two-set lead, the Filipino Spikers found a stabilizer in Eya Laure as she delivered the big hits to restore order with a 10-7 start in the fifth set.

LIVE UPDATES: Alas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei (Semifinals)

Alas Pilipinas’ big upset is even bigger win for national program

Alas Pilipinas player celebrate with fans after sealing a semifinals berth in the AVC Nations Cup. –AVC PHOTO

Anybody searching for a reason to be proud on Independence Day found one in Alas Pilipinas.

Leaning on a trio of collegiate stars, the national women’s volleyball team hammered out a 25-21, 25-15, 25-19 upset of Kazakhstan on Thursday to make it to the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup semifinals for the second straight year.

No one was more elated than skipper Jia Morado-de Guzman after the stunning victory at Dong Anh Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Alas Pilipinas leaning on UAAP MVP trio in AVC medal chase

Alas Pilipinas during an AVC Nations Cup game against Kazakhstan. –AVC PHOTO

The trio of Bella Belen, Angel Canino, and Alyssa Solomon proved that the future of the Alas Pilipinas program is in good hands, powering the team to a second straight semifinal appearance in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup.

The three UAAP MVPs spearheaded Alas Pilipinas’ 25-21, 25-15, 25-19 upset of Kazakhstan—last year’s semifinal tormentor—on Thursday at Dong Anh Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam. The sweep clinched the top spot in Pool B with a 4-1 record, as Kazakhstan played without injured star Sana Anarkulova.

Belen, a three-time UAAP MVP of National University, rose to the occasion against the World No.30 Kazakhs, who were the team’s semis tormentors last year, leading the charge with 16 points off 14 kills and two blocks.

Alas Pilipinas defies odds vs Kazakhstan on Independence Day

Alas Pilipinas player celebrate with fans after sealing a semifinals berth in the AVC Nations Cup. –AVC PHOTO

On Independence Day, Alas Pilipinas stood fearless against the much-taller and last year’s runner-up Kazakhstan, booking its second straight semifinal appearance in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup.

Team captain Jia De Guzman praised her teammates for staying locked in and showing no fear in a must-win match, as the Filipino spikers pulled off a stunning 25-21, 25-15, 25-19 sweep to top Pool B with a 4-1 record on Thursday at Dong Anh Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“Honestly, right after yesterday’s game, the moment we got into the dugout, our minds were already focused on Kazakhstan. We knew today would be a tough match, and we had to give our very best to win,” said De Guzman in Filipino.

Alas Pilipinas stuns Kazakhstan, secures AVC semifinals spot anew

Alas Pilipinas’ Bella Belen during an AVC Nations Cup game against Kazakhstan. –AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas upset last year’s runner-up Kazakhstan, 25-21, 25-15, 25-19, to advance to the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup semifinals for the second straight year on Thursday at Dong Anh Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Filipino Spikers turned to the trio of Angel Canino, Bella Belen, and Alyssa Solomon to pounce on the taller Kazakhs, who missed injured Sana Anarkulova. They finished Pool B with a 4-1 record, taking the first seed with 13 points, just a marker ahead of their rivals.

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