MANILA, Philippines – In their third straight game at the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup, streaking Alas Pilipinas scorched Iran, 25-16, 25-13, 25-15, to clinch a knockout semifinal spot at the packed Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, May 25.
Angel Canino shone yet again as the La Salle star spiker topscored for the third straight time with 16 points. Sisi Rondina also chipped in 12 points for the Philippines.
AVC | WATCH:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
NEXT WOMAN UP.
Sisi Rondina praises her teammates for stepping up despite some lineup changes. #AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/g78WwGCezy
AVC | STATS:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
Angel Canino stars with 16, and Faith Nisperos scores her first pair of points in Alas Pilipinas’ semifinal-clinching win against Iran!#AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/lKVb8JNEOv
AVC | WATCH:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
Always ready for the fans, the media, and of course, Alas Pilipinas.
(Sound warning: Screaming fans)
Lone AVC national team holdover Faith Nisperos signs autographs before sharing her joy at finally being able to play in PH's rout of Iran!#AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/7cjL0f6ca2
AVC | WATCH:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
Veteran middle blocker Cherry Nunag takes in every moment of playing for Alas Pilipinas after getting extended minutes in the rout against Iran.#AVCChallengeCup #AVCChallengeCup2024 pic.twitter.com/SyidQiQQBl
AVC | WATCH:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
Coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito gushes over his team’s performance, especially the steady playmaking of team captain Jia de Guzman.#AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/ORi5iJruio
THIRD SET
AVC | WATCH:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
The Rizal Memorial Coliseum explodes with cheers as Faith Nisperos ends the match for Alas Pilipinas against Iran, 25-16, 25-13, 25-15!
Alas Pilipinas clinches the #AVCChallengeCup2024 semifinal! #AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/XeFNsWBga7
ON PACE FOR GREATNESS ✨💪🏼
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
JUST IN. Undefeated Alas Pilipinas clinches its first #AVCChallengeCup semifinal berth after blasting Iran for its third straight win, 25-16, 25-13, 25-15! https://t.co/pMtA2eMI4U pic.twitter.com/g0EXWqOL88
- FINAL: The Philippines completes a sweep of Iran after dominating the final set, 25-15!
- ALAS PILIPINAS 25-15: Faith Nisperos off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 24-15: Faith Nisperos down the line, first tournament point
- ALAS PILIPINAS 23-15: Cherry Nunag quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 22-15: Vanie Gandler antenna touch
- ALAS PILIPINAS 22-14: Aytak S. cross, in/out challenge successful
- ALAS PILIPINAS 22-13: Alas Pilipinas net touch
- ALAS PILIPINAS 22-12: Dell Palomata quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 21-11: Sisi Rondina cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 20-11: Reyhane K. quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 20-10: Vanie Gandler cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 19-10: Sisi Rondina combi play
- ALAS PILIPINAS 18-10: Aytak S. service error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 17-10: Iran blocks Faith Nisperos
- ALAS PILIPINAS 17-9: Sisi Rondina through the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 16-9: Iran ace
- ALAS PILIPINAS 16-8: Vanie Gandler service error, Faith Nisperos first sub
- ALAS PILIPINAS 16-7: Cherry Nunag quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 15-7: Jia de Guzman service error, wide
- ALAS PILIPINAS 15-6: Vanie Gandler down the line
- ALAS PILIPINAS 14-6: Iran cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 14-5: Iran service error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 13-5: Dorsa F. scores
- ALAS PILIPINAS 13-4: Iran attack error
- ALAS PILIPINAS 12-4: Angel Canino cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 11-3: Sisi Rondina scores
- ALAS PILIPINAS 10-3: Sisi Rondina down the line
- ALAS PILIPINAS 9-3: Angel Canino blocks Shaghayegh H.
- ALAS PILIPINAS 8-3: Aytak S. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 8-2: Fifi Sharma quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 7-2: Fifi Sharma block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 6-2: Sisi Rondina through the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 5-2: Shaghayegh H. down the line
- ALAS PILIPINAS 5-1: Vanie Gandler off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 4-1: Iran blocks Vanie Gandler
- ALAS PILIPINAS 4-0: Cherry Nunag quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 3-0: Jia de Guzman ace
- ALAS PILIPINAS 2-0: Jia de Guzman ace
- ALAS PILIPINAS 1-0: Vanie Gandler scores
SECOND SET
AVC | END OF SET 2: Alas Pilipinas take a commanding 2-0 lead after running roughshod on Iran, 25-13!#AVCChallengeCup LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/CbMO3soe53 pic.twitter.com/t2ZZ6y9EdA
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
- END OF SET 2: Alas Pilipinas blasts Iran anew for the 2-0 lead, 25-13
- ALAS PILIPINAS 25-13: Sisi Rondina backrow
- ALAS PILIPINAS 24-13: Julia Coronel dump
- ALAS PILIPINAS 23-13: Iran service error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 22-13: Elaheh P.S. down the line
- ALAS PILIPINAS 22-12: Arah Panique cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 21-12: Reyhane K. quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 21-11: Fifi Sharma quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 18-9: Angel Canino down the line
- ALAS PILIPINAS 17-9: Aytak S. attack error, not over
- ALAS PILIPINAS 16-9: Elaheh P.S. service error
- ALAS PILIPINAS 15-9: Elaheh P.S. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 15-8: Angel Canino cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 14-8: Angel Canino attack error, not over
- ALAS PILIPINAS 14-7: Vanie Gandler off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 13-7: Elaheh P.S. off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 13-6: Cherry Nunag block point
- ALAS PILIPINAS 12-6: Fifi Sharma quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 11-6: Shaghayegh H off-speed
- ALAS PILIPINAS 11-5: Shaghayegh H. attack error, wide
- ALAS PILIPINAS 10-5: Shaghayegh H. attack error, wide
- ALAS PILIPINAS 9-5: Fifi Sharma quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 8-5: Aytak S. off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 8-4: Iran net touch
- ALAS PILIPINAS 7-4: Angel Canino back-to-back aces, timeout Iran
- ALAS PILIPINAS 5-4: Angel Canino cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 4-4: Aytak S. down the line
- ALAS PILIPINAS 4-3: Shaghayegh H. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 4-2: Elaheh P.S. service error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 3-2: Vanie Gandler service error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 3-1: Elaheh P.S. attack error, long, block touch challenge unsuccessful
- ALAS PILIPINAS 2-1: Sisi Rondina backrow hit
- ALAS PILIPINAS 1-1: Elaheh P.S. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 1-0: Jia de Guzman ace
FIRST SET
AVC | END OF SET 1: Alas Pilipinas takes the opening set in dominant fashion against Iran, 25-16!#AVCChallengeCup LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/CbMO3soe53 pic.twitter.com/Y67H4sFg7G
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 25, 2024
- END OF SET 1: Alas Pilipinas rides a strong start over Iran, 25-16
- ALAS PILIPINAS 25-16: Reyhane K. attack error, wide
- ALAS PILIPINAS 24-16: Sisi Rondina through the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 23-16: Aytak S. through the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 23-15: Vanie Gandler ace
- ALAS PILIPINAS 22-15: Angel Canino cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 21-15: Jia de Guzman service error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 21-14: Vanie Gandler off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 20-14: Cherry Nunag quick attack, timeout Iran
- ALAS PILIPINAS 19-14: Dorsa F. ace
- ALAS PILIPINAS 19-13: Elaheh P.S. off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 19-12: Sisi Rondina backrow hit
- ALAS PILIPINAS 18-12: Fifi Sharma attack error, not over
- ALAS PILIPINAS 18-11: Reyhane K. net touch
- ALAS PILIPINAS 17-11: Jia de Guzman 1-2 play
- ALAS PILIPINAS 16-11: Sisi Rondina attack error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 16-10: Aytak S. through the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 16-9: Iran attack error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 15-9: Vanie Gandler backrow hit
- ALAS PILIPINAS 14-9: Shaghayegh H. off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 14-8: Angel Canino off the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS 13-8: Angel Canino cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 12-8: Elaheh P.S. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 12-7: Angel Canino cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 11-7: Elaheh P.S. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 11-6: Jia de Guzman 1-2 play
- ALAS PILIPINAS 10-6: Mobina G.A. score
- ALAS PILIPINAS 10-5: Sisi Rondina backrow hit, timeout Iran
- ALAS PILIPINAS 9-5: Iran service error, long
- ALAS PILIPINAS 8-5: Aytak S. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 8-4: Sisi Rondina down the line
- ALAS PILIPINAS 7-4: Reyhane K. quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 7-3: Fifi Sharma quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 6-3: Aytak S. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 6-2: Sisi Rondina score
- ALAS PILIPINAS 5-2: Angel Canino cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 4-2: Iran attack error
- ALAS PILIPINAS 3-2: Aytak S. cross
- ALAS PILIPINAS 3-1: Cherry Nunag quick attack
- ALAS PILIPINAS 2-1: Cherry Nunag hit off the floating ball
- ALAS PILIPINAS 1-1: Elaheh P.S. score
- ALAS PILIPINAS 1-0: Vanie Gandler through the block
- ALAS PILIPINAS STARTERS: Fifi Sharma, Vanie Gandler, Jia de Guzman, Angel Canino, Sisi Rondina, Cherry Nunag, Jen Nierva (L)
Preview
MANILA, Philippines – With only a week to prepare and just another to prove its worth, Alas Pilipinas aims to ride its surprisingly favorable odds and stretch it to a three-game winning streak in as many days against Iran on Saturday, May 25, in the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup.
With multi-awarded setter captain Jia de Guzman still calmly steering the ship in international waters, the likes of young star spikers Angel Canino and Eya Laure continue to thrive – both not dipping below 17 points yet – in Alas’ first two convincing wins against Australia and once-unbeaten India.
Against a world No. 57 Iran side carrying a 1-1 record, Philippine head coach Jorge Souza de Brito may start to loosen up his airtight rotation, so as to not only give his main stars some much-needed rest, but also boost his bench’s confidence.
Up-and-coming stars like Vanie Gandler and Faith Nisperos have yet to see meaningful minutes at the consistently packed Rizal Memorial Coliseum, but the situation may just change soon as Alas conserves its energy for a possible cross-pool playoff run against the stacked Pool B.
With Australia (2-1) winning against India (2-2) in the match preceding the Philippines-Iran main event, a subsequent Alas win will already guarantee the host country a knockout semifinal spot.
Can Alas continue to go all in with fatigue slowly becoming a factor, or will Iran dampen the home crowd’s mood with a momentum-breaking win?
First serve is still at 7 pm. – Rappler.com
