Alas Pilipinas Women off to a flyer in AVC Nations Cup with sweep of unranked Mongolia
The troika of Vanie Gandler, Angel Canino, and Eya Laure proved to be the spark as the Filipinas cruised to a 1-0 start in Pool B while the Mongolians opened their campaign with a loss.
Alas made sure to impose its will right from the get-go, breaking a 14-all deadlock in the first set by unleashing a 11-4 run capped by back-to-back hits from mainstays Laure and Gandler, 25-18.
Canino's attack sent the Philippines to a 16-12 cushion in Set 2 before they staged a wild closing run again, unloading a 9-4 rampage to take a 2-0 set advantage over the unranked Mongolia.
The world no. 53 Filipinas didn't take their feet off the gas with veteran middle blocker Dell Palomata serving an ace to send the Philippines to a 16-10 advantage, which Bella Belen extended to a 20-12 lead off a cross-court hammer from the open.
Belen and debuting Shiana Nitura put together the finishing touches after conniving for the last four points to close out the sweep victory.
Gandler top-scored with 16 points anchored on 13 attacks, two aces, and one block while also grabbing five digs and three excellent receptions while Canino and Laure chipped in 11 and seven markers apiece.
The inaugural tournament, previously known as the AVC Women's Challenge Cup, sees 11 nations going at it for an outright qualification to the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, which will be earned only by the champion.
The top two teams from the two pools will advance to the crossover semifinals.
READ MORE | Alas Pilipinas at the 2025 AVC Nations Cup
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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