Alas Pilipinas stuns Australia in thrilling AVC Women’s Challenge Cup match
The Philippine women’s national volleyball team, Alas Pilipinas, soared to a thrilling four-set victory over Australia in Pool A action of the 2024 AVC Women’s Challenge Cup!
The Filipinos (ranked 63rd in the world) defied expectations, overcoming the higher-ranked Australians (56th) with a final score of 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21 at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Despite dropping the first set, Alas Pilipinas displayed remarkable poise. They bounced back with a dominant three-set performance, fueled by impressive offensive firepower.
Angel Canino led the charge with a stellar 17-point showing (15 attacks, 1 block, and 1 ace). Eya Laure provided invaluable support, mirroring Canino’s point total with 17 points of her own (14 attacks, 2 aces, and 1 block). Sisi Rondina and Thea Gagate chipped in with 16 and 11 points, respectively, showcasing a well-balanced offensive attack.
The Philippines dominated the service and spiking categories, showcasing their aggressive approach on the court. Jia De Guzman, the team captain and the team’s setter, orchestrated the offense effectively while contributing six points, including a game-high three service aces. Their strong service game (9 aces) and powerful attacking (59 kills) proved to be the key factors in overcoming Australia’s edge in blocking (12-7).
Kara Inskip led Australia with 12 points, while Caitlin Tipping added nine points in a valiant effort. This defeat drops Australia to a 1-1 record, following their win against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday.
With this win, Alas Pilipinas climbs to second place in Pool A with a 1-0 record. However, they face a crucial challenge tomorrow evening as they go head-to-head with the undefeated India (2-0) at 7:00 PM.
