THE Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team regained its winning ways in the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup yesterday, humbling New Zealand in straight sets 25-17, 25-21, 25-18 at the Dong Ahn Gymnasium in Vietnam.
The nationals kept their bid burning in the continental meet, thanks to the efforts of outside spikers Vanie Gandler and Eya Laure, who both dropped 12 points in the must-win match.
Opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon also made her presence felt for Alas, returning to the court after tweaking her left ankle last Monday, with 11 markers.
The Jorge Souza de Brito-mentored Alas had a total of 36 attacks and tallied 10 service aces.
The victory kept Alas’ redemption run alive after they absorbed a defeat against Iran 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 23-25, 13-25 last Tuesday.
With the win, the Philippines improved to 3-1 in the Pool B preliminary while New Zealand slipped to 1-3
The Filipina spikers need to beat Kazakhstan today to bolster their semifinal chances.
Only the top two squads from each pool will advance to the next stage.
Meanwhile, Khonhan Amornthep sustained his stellar play yesterday, leading Thailand to a 25-20, 26-24, 25-19 victory over Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Amornthep had 16 points on 15 attacks and an ace against the two-time Indonesian Proliga champions after a 19-point performance in Thailand’s four-set win over South Korean club Hyundai Capital Skywalkers.
Chaiwat Thungkham had 12 attacks, an ace and a block for 14 points, the same points output of 6-foot-8 Kissada Nilsawai, as the Thais won in an hour and 15 minutes, improving to 2-0 in the four-team tournament.
Kissada scored six of the Thai team’s 12 block points.
The Thai squad takes on host Alas Pilipinas on the final day of the invitationals.
Arjuna Mahendra showed the way for Jakarta with 16 points on 14 attacks and two aces.
Agil Angga Anggara had 11 points on 10 attacks and a block.
