Alas Pilipinas Women sweep New Zealand to bolster AVC Nations Cup semis drive
The Filipinas rebounded from a tough five-set loss to Iran to keep their semifinals hopes alive with a 3-1 card in Pool B while New Zealand fell to a 1-2 record.
Vanie Gandler and Eya Laure led the charge for the youthful Alas as they both churned out 12 points with the latter also shining on defense with eight digs and nine receptions.
Alyssa Solomon, who didn't see action in that defeat at the hands of the Iranians, returned in fashion as the former NU standout tallied 11 points on nine attacks, one block, and one ace.
Alas took advantage of an error-plagued New Zealand in the endgame and established a slim 21-18 lead in the fourth set. But the fired-up Filipinas unleashed a 4-0 closing run instigated by a service error from New Zealand's Charlton Vail.
Gandler then unloaded a service ace before an attack error from Petra Manderson saw the Philippines clinching the match point at 24-18. Another faulty attack from Katherine Adamson sealed it for Alas as they bolster their semis contention.
Vail paced New Zealand with 11 points while Manderson chipped in nine markers.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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