Alas Pilipinas and Australia battle in the AVC Challenge Cup for Women in Manila on May 23, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file photo
Alas Pilipinas started strong in the 2025 AVC Women's Nations Cup, dismantling returning Mongolia in straight sets, 25-18, 25-16, 25-14, on Saturday in Hanoi, Vietnam.
De La Salle University's Angel Canino hit the ground running for the national team, slamming one in the middle to open the hostilities.
Only a one-point, 16-15 lead for Alas in Set 1, the girls made sure to get the job done with a 9-3 finishing kick, finished by Vanie Gandler who eventually nailed a looping down-the-line hit for a 1-0 set lead.
Gandler and Canino combined for almost half of Alas' output in that frame with six points each.
Carrying that momentum, the visibly happy and celebrating Jia de Guzman-captained squad continued its exquisite performance in Set 2 with again a 9-3 run from the 16-13 count, concluded by a Ninjbolor Battur error en route to a dominant 2-0 lead.
Middle blocker Dell Palomata had some moments in that period, showcasing her talents at the net while contributing two kill blocks.
A 7-0 run early in the succeeding canto from a 4-6 Mongolia separation dictated the tone of the rest of the match, pulling away for the easy sweep that lasted one hour and 29 minutes.
READ: Alas Pilipinas Women to open AVC Nations Cup campaign vs Mongolia
The Ateneo alum Gandler shone the best, registering a total of 16 points on 13 attacks, two aces, and a block. The young Canino finished with 11 points on 10 attacks and one block, while Eya Laure showed no rustiness despite not seeing action in the PVL and had seven points built on six attacks and one block.
READ: Jia de Guzman joins Alas Pilipinas training, gears up for 2025 season
Adamson's Shaina Nitura, who entered the fray in Set 3, had a first taste of the international stage, and even scored in the finishing moments of the match.
As expected, skipper De Guzman steered the team through her leadership and setting, tallying 10 excellent sets.
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