Alas Pilipinas absorbed its second straight defeat in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Cup after falling to continental powerhouse South Korea, 25-16, 25-18, 25-22, at the Candon City Arena on Tuesday, June 9.
Despite the straight-sets result, the national team showed flashes of competitiveness—particularly in the third set—before ultimately succumbing to South Korea’s depth, discipline, and superior execution on both ends of the floor.
For Alas Pilipinas, however, the match also served as another showcase of rising middle blocker Niña Ytang, who continued to build her reputation as one of the team’s most promising young standouts in her debut international campaign.
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The former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons star finished as the second-leading scorer for the Philippines with eight points, tallying seven attacks and one block. While the numbers may not fully capture her impact, Ytang’s presence at the net provided consistent resistance against South Korea’s high-powered offense and quick-tempo system.
Her performance did not go unnoticed.
South Korea captain Kang Sohwi singled out the young middle blocker when asked which Alas Pilipinas player stood out during the match, offering rare praise from one of Asia’s elite competitors.
“Number 9, the middle blocker,” Sohwi said when asked which Alas Pilipinas player impressed her the most.
For Ytang, the recognition from a top-tier international opponent served as validation of her rapid adjustment to the demands of international volleyball, though she remained grounded in her response.
KAMSAHAMNIDA 🙇🏻♀️
South Korea captain Kang Sohwi admits she was impressed by Niña Ytang’s performance for Alas Pilipinas, while the middle blocker expresses her gratitude for the praise —#OSOnTheSpot #AVCWomensCup #AlasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/6WUQp0WazC
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) June 9, 2026
“I must be doing something right kaya siguro ganun. Pero for me naman I’m just doing my best, doing everything I can para sa bayan,” Ytang stated.
Ytang has quietly emerged as one of the bright spots for Alas Pilipinas in the tournament, showcasing both offensive efficiency and defensive timing in the middle. In the team’s opening win over Uzbekistan, she delivered a strong debut performance with 12 points built on eight attacks and four kill blocks, immediately establishing herself as a reliable presence in the rotation.
She followed that up with an even more dynamic outing against Australia, where she produced 13 points highlighted by nine attacks, three service aces, and a block, demonstrating her expanding skill set and growing confidence against higher-level competition.
Across three matches, Ytang has shown steady improvement in adapting to international pace, with her ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game becoming a valuable asset for Alas Pilipinas as it continues its campaign in the AVC tournament.
Her emergence has also drawn attention beyond the national team setup, particularly given the significant decision she made prior to the competition. Ytang opted to withdraw her application for the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, choosing instead to commit fully to Alas Pilipinas Women and her development within the national team program.
The decision underscored her long-term focus on international experience and national team duty, prioritizing exposure against elite Asian opposition over immediate professional league opportunities.
While Alas Pilipinas continues to navigate a challenging tournament against some of Asia’s strongest programs, performances like Ytang’s offer a glimpse of a developing core that could anchor the national team in future international competitions.
As the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup progresses, the Philippines will look to regroup and build on its competitive moments, while Ytang’s steady rise remains one of the most encouraging storylines in the campaign.
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