LEGENDARY MATCH | PHILIPPINES vs AUSTRALIA | AVC Challenge Cup 2024. Alas Pilipinas basks in glory of historic AVC Challenge Cup bronze finish!
Formed in a week's time and practicing for less, Alas Pilipinas still pulls through with its first AVC medal in 63 years, making a statement to how much higher the country can go in international play with enough prep time and resources.
MANILA, Philippines – In one of the more unexpected outcomes in Philippine volleyball, the hastily assembled Alas Pilipinas women’s team barreled into the pages of history, winning its first medal in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) at the end of the 2024 Challenge Cup on Wednesday, May 29.
Only dropping one of its six matches in a grueling seven-day stretch, the star-studded collection of volleyball standouts capped off the tournament in the best way possible, a 25-23, 25-15, 25-7 destruction of Australia to snap a 63-year medal drought since joining the AVC.
Amid one last deserved standing ovation at the packed Rizal Memorial Coliseum, captain setter Jia de Guzman deflected credit one more time, as she celebrated history with her ever-energetic teammates at the match’s conclusion.
“It feels surreal. Actually, I think it’s going to take a while for it to sink in because we went in this game not expecting anything. Now we’re going home with a medal,” she said.
“It’s been years, decades since the last medal, so we’re really super thankful. We’re really hopeful, we’re looking forward to more preparations for the upcoming tournaments we will play in, because if this is what we’ve already shown now, we just hope that we keep improving and move up.”
Angel Canino, a newbie in the seniors national team following her sophomore season with La Salle, was likewise ecstatic that her Alas debut stint couldn’t have gone any better than how it unfolded.
“I’m very proud of the team, the management and the coaches because given our preparation time, we were still able to get the bronze,” she said after a team-best 14-point performance to cap off the tournament.
“I’m very proud because it’s no joke, what we went through as individuals and as a team. All I can say is I’m proud that we went all out for one another.”
It remains to be seen whether this group will stay together in its next major competition, the FIVB Challenger Cup from July 4 to 7, also hosted in Manila.
Regardless of what lies ahead, this assortment of aces has proven enough to the powers that be just how much higher the country can go in volleyball when given more time, resources, and dedication to the cause. – Rappler.com
In their first meeting,
Gia going through Angel Canino.
Blocker is able to slow
things down for Australia.
Good pick up by Eyalaure.
Canino one more time
and there's a go.
Angel Canino
again she has been
the leading scorer of
Alaska Filipinas all throughout
this tournament. Angel Canino
on the court for the Philippines at 6-2.
That was a quick
I think that's what they wanted to do
the first time around, this time Dodd succeeds.
And you have to
commend Stephens as well, giving
the trust and confidence to Dodd
going back to her and Dodd responding
better.
Eyalaure again.
Acro attack, soft one
and Hogan says I can do
that too. And right now
we see Australia really locked
in their floor defense. We're seeing a lot
of strong attacks coming from Alaska
Filipinas but they have been digging it
and this time Hogan just tipping
that one home.
Fans here
for the Philippines. Australia
on to Alaska Filipinas.
Exactly, Gia
Morado de Guzman starting to play
fast volleyball here activating
the middles.
That second attempt
perfect. Right in front
of the Philippines who
finished 7th last year.
And how did Australia
do? 11.5 for the
Volleyroos.
From Cece Rondina here in
Rizal. Cece
Rondina
powering
through tall blockers in front of
her and squeezing that one
in. Dana Stephens
is the setter and team captain
the most experienced in the squad.
Conversions
working well for the Philippines.
And the first
ball, a good first
ball of Alaska Filipinas really allows
Gia Morado
de Guzman to be efficient in this game.
Another activation to
Thea Gagate.
On the court.
Good serve there.
Coming from Burtons
an overpass
coming from Alaska Filipinas.
Again, they can't afford those overpasses
because Australia has the height
to take advantage of those giveaways.
And now we have a timeout
from Alas this morning.
And that crossbody shot, very
deceiving from Eyal Laure.
Looks like she's going cross court.
They mean Australia could not
maximize on their height
right now in terms of net defense
because Alaska Filipinas playing
really fast volleyball
beating the blockers.
One error at the serve only compared to the four
of the Philippines.
Tricky Gia, but
she was red that time. That one gets
past Angel Canino
and Australia now
only within two.
Australia has stayed patient
in this set finding ways
to trim down the gap, to trim
down the lead of Alaska Filipinas.
First time these two teams met
but it's still set point.
Tough serve from Rodina.
Back row attack.
Thea Gagate
against the leading score
of Australia and Kaitlyn Tipping.
Take a look at the timing.
And it's not so far.
Outside set.
Setting up Laura there but it is
a blocking.
And that is Shabbert and Dodd coming
together.
It was Thea Gagate setting up
Laura, her only option.
Right. This time
Cici Rodina is able to counter.
Will score this time.
No net violation.
And
we're seeing, as you mentioned
partner, a lot of these quick
plays, a lot of these transition plays
that happen in warps.
And that is what we're seeing from Alas.
Another chance here
for the Volleyroos.
Australia
has been trying to defend
well.
Now a four point lead for Alas.
And it has been
Kaitlyn Tipping all set
long. This time going down
the line, showing her versatility as well.
Faster and
stronger hit. This time
coming from Kaitlyn Tipping.
She has been trying to
deficit earlier. Almost
threatening to win that first
set. But
Cici Rodina this time. Now at the
front. And
she is up to no good.
She is really a thorn
on the side of the Volleyroos.
She's got all sorts of
Australia
just right back at them.
A quick point. And that
was Ella Shabbert, the other
contributor here
today. She's got it.
Good serve.
Canino going up.
What kind of set she gets. She's just going to go
for it. And Angel Canino
is definitely
with her A game today.
Her hits are getting sharper
and sharper in this match.
Take a look at the down the line attack.
Now will she be able to replicate
her 17 point outing against Australia
first time around.
Cut shot coming from
Zair. And this is
what Australia wants to see.
New faces, new names coming up.
5'9", 18
year old Zair, the youngest player
for Australia.
Return to the fast ones.
Just to keep
lockers guessing. But they are
guessing well. Locker also coming in.
6'4".
Australia, as we talked
about, Gia De Guzman
looking for one play and then going
back to the usual.
Quick with Fifi.
Exactly. Perfect play there.
No blockers. Jumping with Fifi
Sharma. Getting closer to
the 25 point mark.
Gia is
not to play in these sneak attacks.
One, two
players are only effective if the timing
is perfect. And
Gia Morada De Guzman
executing a perfect
one-two play.
Australia scrambling the floor defense.
This is set point for
Alas Filipinas. Several
of them. Let's see if they can get it now.
Will they close out? Canino from
behind. Good dig
by Australia. Tipping.
Stuck by
Eyalauri. Gondina
will go. We're seeing good defense from the
Aussies.
So far, look at Zizi just totally
invading the two-man
block. Again, not the
tallest. And
a running attack. No, a sneaky one.
Even we were fooled.
That was a very deceptive
combination
there. Nathan Tipping
coming from back row.
She has been delivering points.
The connection we're talking about just displayed
there between Gia De Guzman and Angel Canino.
And this time is a nice
entry for Australia there.
Perfect stand-in there.
Talking about Dea Gagat and Angel
Canino jumping
at the same time. Game, but
the miscues of the Volleyroos
will be costly for them.
And
that is a much needed point
for the Volleyroos.
That one care of
Emma Burton.
Only one blocker there. Choosing
the open block and the cross-court
angle. Catch up.
Up.
And she just changes
her mind mid-air.
Again, the
versatility of Angel Canino
is really her strength here.
Take a look at that.
Floor defense, changing
angles.
Solo block.
Nathan Tipping.
He's business.
She has the height.
She has the length.
Only one blocker there, but
Tipping closing the right
angle of Eia Lauri.
She was trying to go cross-court.
Take a look at that. First time playing here
in the ABC.
And showing up here for the first time for Australia
in this third set.
Gia De Guzman that was red by Australia
actually.
Kiki Sharma stayed locked in
on that one. Look at those eyes.
Tipping.
But I think there is a black touch
because you see Australia celebrating
that point.
So far it has been just Caitlin
Tipping delivering good
side-outs, important points for Australia.
She needs some support. She needs some help.
She's going for the jump serve.
Eia taking care of that one.
And finish.
Anyone Australia
trying to target in this first ball
delivers a perfect first ball.
The reason why there's only one
blocker always
Alas.
Free ball here. Chance for
Gia De Guzman to reap magic
in the recipient's end.
And she scores point number 11.
Big game for Thea Kagate today.
Again an all-around
game being at red zone
in offense and defense.
But you have to credit
really Gia Morado
De Guzman for her
ball distribution. Match point. Bronze
medal point. This is a
moment in history that we are all
anticipating. Let's see
if Australia can
foil this one.
CC.
National experience. She's the
veteran in this team and she has
led the team perfectly.
But you know a lot of players
also coming alive and stepping up
for team Philippines.
Eia Loures, CC Rondina,
Angel Camino, Thea Kagate
with an all-around game
today.
