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Category: Volleyball

  • Adrian Villados embraces second chance with Alas Pilipinas, eyes stronger Leg 2 showing 

    Adrian Villados embraces second chance with Alas Pilipinas, eyes stronger Leg 2 showing 

    For Adrian Villados, wearing the Alas Pilipinas jersey again meant more than simply returning to the national team—it was proof that patience, hard work, and steady growth can earn another opportunity on the international stage.


    Three years after making his debut for the Philippine men’s volleyball team in the 2023 Asian Games, the playmaker has returned as a more accomplished setter, bringing with him valuable championship experience and a greater understanding of what it takes to compete against Southeast Asia’s best.


    The Criss Cross floor general capped his comeback campaign by helping the Philippines finish fifth in the opening leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup in Candon City, a result that also served as another step in his development under Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni.


    “I’m really happy. This is a huge experience for me,” Villados said in Filipino after the tournament.

    “Playing alongside both the younger guys and the veterans was a huge experience for us. Competing in the SEA V Cup is something we’ll definitely carry with us into our next games,” he added.


    Villados returned to the national team carrying far more confidence than when he first represented the country.


    Since his first stint with Alas Pilipinas, the former Arellano University standout has established himself as one of the country’s top setters, winning two Spikers’ Turf championships, collecting two Best Setter awards, and capturing Invitational Finals MVP honors with Criss Cross.


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    Those accomplishments, he believes, have prepared him for another opportunity to wear the Philippine colors.


    “I just tried to use the confidence I gained from winning the Finals MVP to help me play well here. At the same time, no matter what happens, we always stick to Coach Frigoni’s system,” said Villados.


    “Coach Frigoni always tells us that as long as we stick to his system, we’ll give our best against any team we face and we’ll be able to compete with them.”


    Villados also considers his journey through different coaching philosophies as another advantage, having previously played under Brazilian mentor Sergio Veloso before now adapting to Frigoni’s structured system.


    While the opening leg ended without a semifinal appearance, the experience gave the team a clearer picture of the level they need to reach moving forward.


    That challenge only becomes tougher in Leg 2 in Jakarta, where the Philippines will once again battle defending champion Cambodia and host Indonesia in a stacked pool with a semifinal berth on the line.


    Despite the difficult road ahead, Villados believes the team is beginning to find its identity and is confident the lessons learned from Candon will translate into a better showing.


    “We know we still have a lot to improve and there’s so much more we can do. But little by little, we’re starting to understand Coach Frigoni’s system. We’ll keep working hard and do even better in the next leg,” said Villados.


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  • Alas Pilipinas Men gets fresh shot at redemption in SEA V Cup Leg 2 

    Alas Pilipinas Men gets fresh shot at redemption in SEA V Cup Leg 2 

    A second chance arrives quickly for Alas Pilipinas.

     

    Less than a week after wrapping up a fifth-place finish on home soil, the Philippine men’s volleyball team returns to the court with an opportunity to rewrite its SEA V Cup campaign in Leg 2, which gets underway at the Jakarta International Velodrome in Indonesia.

     

    The Filipinos once again find themselves in a challenging Pool A alongside host Indonesia and Cambodia, the team that stunned the field by capturing the Leg 1 title after defeating the Philippines in five sets during the preliminary round.

     

    This time, however, Alas Pilipinas enters with valuable experience from the opening leg and hopes to translate those lessons into better results.

     

    The Nationals avoided a last-place finish in Candon by sweeping Myanmar in their final match, while several newcomers—including Josh Magalaman and Jude Garcia—showed encouraging signs in their first tournament wearing the national colors.

     

    Now, head coach Angiolino Frigoni’s squad faces another opportunity to measure its progress against two of Southeast Asia’s toughest teams.

     

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    Pool B features regional powerhouse Thailand together with Vietnam and Myanmar, with only the top teams advancing to the knockout stage.

     

    Cambodia and Indonesia will officially open Pool A action on Wednesday night before the Philippines begins its campaign the following day.

     

    Alas Pilipinas schedule – SEA V Cup Leg 2

     

    July 23 (Thursday)

     

    8:00 p.m. – Alas Pilipinas vs. Cambodia

     

    July 24 (Friday)

     

    8:00 p.m. – Alas Pilipinas vs. Indonesia

     

    The opening match against Cambodia offers the Filipinos an immediate chance to avenge their heartbreaking five-set loss in Leg 1, while the showdown against host Indonesia could ultimately determine whether Alas Pilipinas advances deeper into the tournament.

     

    With a young roster beginning to gain chemistry under Frigoni, the second leg presents an opportunity not only to climb the standings but also to show how much the team has grown in just one week. 

     

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  • Galeries Tower sees more than talent in Lams Lamina 

    Galeries Tower sees more than talent in Lams Lamina 

    For Galeries Tower head coach Aying Esteban, Lams Lamina’s biggest impact didn’t begin when she stepped onto the court in a Premier Volleyball League uniform.

    It started in practice.

     

    Long before making her long-awaited preseason debut, the former National University setter had already caught Esteban’s attention—not because of flashy plays, but because of her relentless desire to improve.

     

    Whether it was asking questions during training, seeking advice from coaches, or picking the brains of her veteran teammates, Lamina made it clear she was determined to learn every detail of the Highrisers’ system.

     

    “Kahit sa training, tanong siya nang tanong sa mga teammates niya, sa amin, kung ano ang nangyayari,” said Esteban.

     

    “‘Yun ang maganda sa kanya, hindi siya nagsasarili. Kumbaga, lagi siyang ano na matuto doon sa team namin.”

     

    That eagerness translated into a composed first outing as Lamina finally suited up for Galeries Tower on Saturday night, helping the Highrisers grind out a 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24 victory over Farm Fresh at the Batangas City Sports Center.

     

    Backing up team captain Julia Coronel, Lamina recorded seven excellent sets while efficiently steering the second unit and ensuring the team’s offense never lost its rhythm whenever the starters took a breather.

     

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    The rookie also showed maturity beyond her experience during the closing moments of the fourth set.

     

    She first delivered the setup that allowed Lycha Ebon to score the go-ahead point for a 25-24 edge before calmly tossing a one-handed set to Roselle Baliton, who buried the match-winning quick attack.

     

    Despite the encouraging debut, Esteban stressed that Lamina remains a work in progress as she continues adjusting to Galeries Tower’s offensive system.

     

    “Meron pa ring mga sa system namin na kailangan niya i-adapt pa, pero siyempre sa process pa rin ‘yun,” said Esteban.

     

    The Highrisers have undergone significant changes since Esteban took over midway through the PVL All-Filipino Conference, and the coach believes players like Lamina are helping shape a new culture centered on growth and accountability.

     

    While wins are welcome during the preseason, Esteban remains more encouraged by the team’s mindset as they continue laying the foundation for the upcoming season.

     

    “Ang laki, ang laki na ng changes. Ang laking pagbabago sa mentality, pagdating sa training. Natutuwa ako kasi hindi sila nagsasawa sa kung anong ginagawa namin. Grateful ako sa kanila sa ganoong ginagawa nila sa team namin.”

     

     

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  • Strong Group Pilipinas completes Formosa roster with Mylene Paat-Rezanova, Cam Bartolome additions 

    Strong Group Pilipinas completes Formosa roster with Mylene Paat-Rezanova, Cam Bartolome additions 

    Strong Group Pilipinas has settled on the final pieces of its roster ahead of its international assignment of the year, reinforcing its lineup with a rising collegiate star and a seasoned veteran for the 2026 Formosa Women’s Volleyball Invitational Tournament.


    The Philippine squad announced the additions of NCAA Season 101 Rookie of the Year Cam Bartolome and Farm Fresh opposite hitter Mylene Paat-Rezanova, completing the team that will compete in Taiwan from July 30 to Aug. 2.

     

    The pair replaces Jovelyn Gonzaga and Royse Tubino, giving the national selection a mix of youthful promise and international experience as it prepares to battle some of Asia’s top club and national selection teams.

     

    At just 19 years old, Bartolome enters the tournament as the youngest player on the roster. The College of Saint Benilde standout emerged as one of the NCAA’s brightest young stars after a dominant Season 101 campaign that earned her both the Rookie of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. 

     

    The former Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts standout also established herself as one of the league’s premier middle blockers, making her a valuable addition to the Philippine frontline.

     

    While Bartolome represents the future, Paat-Rezanova brings proven firepower to the present as the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player joined Farm Fresh earlier this year and adds veteran leadership to Strong Group Pilipinas. 

     

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    Known for her scoring ability and international experience, the opposite hitter is expected to provide stability against a highly competitive field.

     

    Their arrival rounds out a roster that combines established Premier Volleyball League stars with emerging talent.

     

    Leading the squad are reigning PVL Most Valuable Player Trisha Tubu, Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Maicah Larroza, Ces Molina, Louie Romero, and Jonna Perdido from Farm Fresh. They will be joined by ZUS Coffee standouts Chinnie Arroyo, AC Miner, Clo Mondoñedo, Riza Nogales, Alyssa Eroa, and Zamantha Nolasco.

     

    Farm Fresh head coach Koji Tsuzurabara will lead the Philippine side, with ZUS Coffee mentor Jerry Yee serving as assistant coach alongside Kungfu Reyes and Shaq Delos Santos.

     

    Strong Group Pilipinas will field a combined selection from Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee in the Taichung Bank-backed tournament, where the Filipinas will test themselves against club and national selection teams from Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Hong Kong.

     

    With its roster now finalized, Strong Group Pilipinas heads to Taiwan carrying a balanced lineup built to compete against some of the region’s strongest opposition while gaining valuable international experience ahead of the domestic volleyball season.

     

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  • Jude Garcia ready to answer every Alas Pilipinas call after long-awaited indoor debut 

    Jude Garcia ready to answer every Alas Pilipinas call after long-awaited indoor debut 

    For years, Jude Garcia watched from the sidelines as opportunities to wear the Alas Pilipinas jersey for the men’s indoor team came and went.

     

    Now that he has finally broken through, the five-time Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player has no intention of letting that opportunity be a one-time experience.

     

    Fresh off completing his first tournament with the national indoor squad, Garcia made it clear that representing the Philippines will remain a priority whenever his name is called.

     

    “Siyempre, as long as kino-call up ako sa national team po, magco-commit pa rin ako sa natio    nal team kasi sobrang laking bagay, opportunity na mapabilang sa Alas, sa national team,” said the 5-foot-11 wing spiker.

     

    “Kumbaga, hindi ko na iniisip yung future kasi talagang kung ipupunta kami dito, talagang magco-commit ako, magco-commit, basta walang club season.”

     

    Garcia’s first campaign with Alas Pilipinas ended on a positive note after the Nationals swept Myanmar, 25-21, 28-26, 25-22, on Saturday to finish fifth in the opening leg of the 2026 SEA V.Cup at the Candon City Arena.

     

    While the result fell short of a podium finish, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for Garcia, whose international career had previously been built almost entirely on beach volleyball.

     

    Before earning his long-awaited indoor breakthrough, the 27-year-old had already established himself as one of the country’s most decorated beach volleyball players, collecting three Southeast Asian Games bronze medals and another podium finish in the AVC Continental Cup.

     

    Despite receiving previous invitations to the indoor program, circumstances had always prevented him from joining—making this opportunity even more meaningful. 

     

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    “Sobrang grateful lang kasi ang laking opportunity nito para sa akin kasi yun nga ang tagal ko nang hinihintay. Ngayon lang dumating. So, talaga, hangga’t nandito ako, i-cherish ko yung moment na ibigay ko yung best every game and every practice sa game,” he said.

     

    Garcia also showed his versatility throughout the tournament.

     

    After spending the pool stage as an outside hitter, he shifted to opposite hitter in the victory over Myanmar and contributed eight points, proving he could be effective on either wing just as he has been for club team Criss Cross.

     

    “Sobrang komportable na ako kasi siyempre alam naman natin ang gagawin mo lang sa opposite dedepensa ka, aatake ka, and ba-block ka lang so, siyempre sa mindset ko lang talaga pupunta sa akin yung bola, gagawin ko lang yung pinakabest ko,” he said.

     

    With the national team having been assembled only in mid-May, Garcia believes their final-day victory provides valuable momentum as Alas Pilipinas prepares for the second leg of the SEA V.Cup in Jakarta from July 22 to 26.

     

    “Sobrang laking motivation di lang para sa akin, para sa teammates ko din kasi lahat naman kami trinabaho namin yung game na to, trinabaho namin past games namin talaga,” he said.

     

    “Kita naman doon yung effort ng bawat isa, so dadalhin namin ‘tong experience na ‘to sa leg 2 na sana mas magiging maganda yung resulta ng leg 2 namin.”

     

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  • NU turns to familiar face as Norman Miguel returns to lead Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 89 

    NU turns to familiar face as Norman Miguel returns to lead Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 89 

    National University is once again entrusting its women’s volleyball program to one of its most successful tactician, bringing back Norman Miguel as head coach in hopes of steering the Lady Bulldogs back to the UAAP summit.


    The school announced on Monday that Miguel will return for another stint with the program and take over the reins for UAAP Season 89, replacing Regine Diego, who will transition to an assistant coaching role.

     

    The appointment continues a remarkable trend within the NU program, which will have a different head coach for the third consecutive season despite remaining one of the league’s premier contenders.

     

    Miguel inherits a squad that came close to reclaiming the championship last season. Under Diego, the Lady Bulldogs compiled a 10-4 elimination-round record before advancing to the Finals, where they settled for a runner-up finish after falling to the De La Salle Lady Spikers.

     

    While the result fell short of the program’s championship standard, NU remained firmly among the UAAP’s elite, setting the stage for Miguel’s latest return.

     

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    Few coaches are as familiar with the Lady Bulldogs’ culture as Miguel. His first stint came during UAAP Seasons 81 and 82, before he returned in Season 86, where he immediately guided NU back to the top of Philippine collegiate volleyball.

     

    That campaign saw the Lady Bulldogs sweep the UST Golden Tigresses in the championship series behind Most Valuable Player Bella Belen and Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon, restoring NU as the league’s dominant force.

     

    Miguel’s return also adds another chapter to the Lady Bulldogs’ revolving coaching history during their most successful era.

     

    Karl Dimaculangan ended the school’s 65-year title drought by steering NU to the Season 84 championship. Miguel then reclaimed the title during his one-season return in Season 86, before Sherwin Meneses delivered another championship in Season 87 during his own one-year stint.

     

    Diego took over in Season 88, guiding the Lady Bulldogs back to the Finals but ultimately falling short of another championship.

     

    Now, the responsibility shifts back to Miguel, who faces the challenge of turning another Finals appearance into a title-winning campaign.

     

    With a roster expected to remain among the strongest in the UAAP, NU is banking on a coach who has already proven he can deliver championships, hoping familiarity and continuity will once again translate into another banner for the Lady Bulldogs in Season 89.

     

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  • AC Miner embraces new role as ZUS Coffee builds for the future 

    AC Miner embraces new role as ZUS Coffee builds for the future 

    AC Miner’s return to ZUS Coffee has been about much more than recovering from injury. It has also marked the beginning of another transformation in her volleyball journey.

     

    After missing the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference because of a shin injury, Miner has returned to the Thunderbelles with a different assignment, taking over as an opposite spiker after spending most of her career as a middle blocker.

     

    Instead of viewing the adjustment as a setback, the former Ateneo standout has welcomed the challenge with the same mindset that has defined much of her career.

     

    “I’m accepting it well,” Miner said when asked about the position switch.

     

    The role is hardly unfamiliar territory for the former Rookie of the Conference. During her final season with Ateneo under Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso in UAAP Season 87, Miner was also asked to alternate between middle blocker and opposite hitter, giving her experience that is now proving valuable in the professional ranks.

     

    For ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee, the move was driven by both necessity and long-term planning.

     

    With Thea Gagate, Riza Nogales, Zam Nolasco, and fourth overall rookie Nicole Ong providing depth in the middle, keeping everyone in their natural position would leave limited opportunities for several players.

     

    “Ano naman eh, as long as willing ‘yung bata. Kasi ‘yung mga middles natin, hindi natin ma-maximize if tatlo sila or apat; may hindi maglalaro. So talagang merong isa na magsi-switch talaga,” said Yee.

     

    “Nagta-transition na rin naman ‘yung mga opposite natin, so paunti-unti, nagpapakabata tayo kumbaga,” he added.

     

    The shift also allows the Thunderbelles to gradually prepare for the future while easing the workload of veteran opposite spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga, whose experience continues to play a vital role in the team’s development.

     

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    Miner admitted that the biggest adjustment has come away from the net, particularly in improving her back-row defense after spending years focusing on blocking as a middle.

     

    “So, ginagawa ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko sa depensa since ‘yun naman siguro ‘yung kulang ko as a middle — ‘yung defense sa back row. So, ‘yun pa rin ‘yung kailangan kong trabahuhin. Overall, well accepted naman ‘yung new role,” said the former Rookie of the Conference.

     

    Fortunately for Miner, she has someone she trusts to guide her through the transition.

     

    “I’m accepting it well, since ‘yung kapalitan ko, si Ate Jov (Gonzaga), isa sa mga veterans,” she said.

     

    “Sobrang mahalaga kasi ni Ate Jov. Mas matagal na siyang naglalaro kaysa sa akin. With the help of the other veterans din, nagkakaroon ako ng kumpiyansa kasi hine-help nila ako para mas makatulong sa team at ma-boost din ‘yung confidence ko,” she added.

     

    Yee believes the experiment could eventually give ZUS Coffee another legitimate attacking option while making the team’s frontline bigger and more flexible against the league’s top opponents.

     

    The early returns have already been encouraging during the Thunderbelles’ unbeaten start in the 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown, particularly with Miner’s improved presence at the net.

     

    “At least na-address natin. ‘Yung blocking, talagang malaki na improvement. Siyempre, maraming butas, like ‘yung floor defense natin; kailangan maalaga tayo. ‘Yung third ball natin kailangan maayos din,” said Yee.

     

    Even so, the longtime mentor stressed that the conversion remains a work in progress rather than a finished product.

     

    “May pros and cons pero ganun talaga, we have to work.”

     

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  • Reg Jurado embraces new role as UST captain ahead of Shakey’s Super League campaign 

    Reg Jurado embraces new role as UST captain ahead of Shakey’s Super League campaign 

    Reg Jurado’s captainship era begins in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals, as she leads the young University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses starting on Sunday against the finalists of the NCAA, Enderun Colleges, and two guest teams from Australia and Vietnam.


    Deciding to play out her remaining UAAP year of eligibility, Jurado is taking this leadership role one step at a time as she tries to fill the shoes left by now PVL player Detdet Pepito, who graduated with Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula after last season. 


    Reg Jurado’s captainship era begins in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals, as she leads the young University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses starting on Sunday against the finalists of the NCAA, Enderun Colleges, and two guest teams from Australia and Vietnam.


    Deciding to play out her remaining UAAP year of eligibility, Jurado is taking this leadership role one step at a time as she tries to fill the shoes left by now PVL player Detdet Pepito, who graduated with Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula after last season.


    “I don’t want to let the pressure get to me just because I’m one of the seniors now,” Jurado said in in Filipino during the SSL press conference on Friday in Malate, Manila. “I’ll just keep playing and continue doing what I’ve been doing over the past years.”


    The star opposite spiker won’t just be at the forefront of the Santo Tomas offense under coach Shaq Delos Santos, but will try to be a mentor to a lot of her young teammates together alongside star setter Cassie Carballo and the prolific Angge Poyos.


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    “It’s still a work in progress,” Jurado said of her captaincy. “(Pepito was) very vocal and had a strong presence on the court. That’s one thing I’m still working on because I’m not as vocal.

    “Hopefully, by the UAAP season, I’ll continue to develop that together with my fellow seniors.” 

    The Tigresses, who bombed out of the semifinals in the last UAAP, open up against Enderun Colleges at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.


    For Jurado, it’s a chance for the Tigresses to build their chemistry and continue to thrive under Delos Santos’ system after another bronze medal finish last May.


    “This tournament is really for exposure. We’ll take everything we’ve learned here and hopefully apply it to our main preparation for the UAAP,” she said. “Especially against bigger teams—we’ve seen that the foreign squads are really tall—so we’ll use those lessons and, hopefully, carry them over to the UAAP. 


    “One of our main goals is to really show coach Shaq’s teachings and his system, and to apply them throughout this tournament.”


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  • Josh Ybañez proves libero switch is paying off with back-to-back SEA V.Cup Best Libero awards 

    Josh Ybañez proves libero switch is paying off with back-to-back SEA V.Cup Best Libero awards 

    Josh Ybañez’s reinvention continues to produce results on the international stage.

     

    Once known as one of the country’s most explosive wing spikers, the Alas Pilipinas standout has fully embraced life as a libero—and the accolades continue to follow.

     

    Ybañez was named Best Libero in Leg 1 of the 2026 SEA V.Cup in Candon City, making history as the first Alas Pilipinas player to win the award in consecutive legs after also claiming the honor during Leg 2 of last year’s tournament in Jakarta.

     

    The recognition further cements what has become one of the most successful position changes in Philippine men’s volleyball in recent years.

     

    Instead of leading the attack, Ybañez has become the steady presence at the backline, anchoring the country’s defense against some of Southeast Asia’s strongest teams.

     

    Throughout the weeklong tournament, the former high-scoring outside hitter served as head coach Angiolino Frigoni’s lone libero, taking on the responsibility of organizing the floor defense while consistently delivering on receptions and digs in all three matches. 

     

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    His composure and reliability became one of the biggest strengths of an Alas Pilipinas squad that fielded a youthful lineup in the opening leg.

     

    Although the Nationals fell short of a semifinal berth and settled for fifth place in the six-team competition, they closed their campaign on a positive note by sweeping Myanmar to avoid a winless finish before the tournament shifts to Jakarta for the second leg.

     

    For Ybañez, the individual recognition offered another reminder that his move to libero has unlocked a new chapter in his career rather than slowing it down.

     

    The latest award is already his second Best Libero citation since committing to the position full-time, adding to an impressive collection of international honors that now also includes three SEA V.Cup bronze medals.

     

    With another individual trophy secured, Ybañez now shifts his attention to the second leg of the SEA V.Cup, where Alas Pilipinas Men hopes to build on its encouraging finish and contend more strongly against the region’s volleyball powerhouses in Jakarta from July 22 to 26.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Boys keep ninth-place bid alive with sweep of Australia

    Alas Pilipinas Boys keep ninth-place bid alive with sweep of Australia

    The dream of a Top 8 finish may be over, but Alas Pilipinas Boys have found a new mission—and they are making the most of it.

     

    The Philippines stayed on course for its highest-ever finish in the AVC Boys’ U18 Volleyball Championship after dispatching Australia, 25-20, 30-28, 25-20, on Thursday at the Wuyuan River Gymnasium in Haikou, China.

     

    The straight-set victory sends the Filipinos into the 9th-12th classification semifinals, where they will face either Kazakhstan or Hong Kong with a chance to improve on the country’s previous best finish of 11th place achieved in the 2024 edition in Bahrain.

     

    Al-Raquib Dais once again emerged as the driving force behind the Philippine attack, pouring in 25 points built on 21 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace.

     

    Terrence Marticion provided steady support with 11 points as the Filipinos showcased balanced offense and disciplined execution throughout the match.

     

    While the opening and closing sets were firmly controlled by the Philippines, the second frame proved to be the turning point.

     

    The teams battled through six deuces before the Australians blinked first. A costly service error by Alex Liang handed the Filipinos set point, allowing Dais to finish off the extended battle and give Alas a commanding two-set advantage.

     

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    The win highlighted one of the team’s biggest improvements throughout the tournament—its ability to stay composed during crucial stretches.

     

    The Filipinos also capitalized on Australia’s mistakes, forcing the Oceanians into 25 unforced errors while committing only 14 themselves.

     

    For head coach Oliver Balse, the classification round has become an opportunity to end the tournament on a meaningful note despite missing out on the quarterfinals.

     

    “Because we are now out of the Top 8 teams, our goal is to take the best ninth-place finish. That’s our new motivation. We need to continue working hard and raise the rankings,” Balse said.

     

    “We know that Australia is tall and we relied on our plays to make sure that we get this win.”

    Australia leaned on Eddie King, who scored 12 points, while Alex Liang added 11 in the losing effort.

     

    Now carrying renewed confidence, Alas Pilipinas Boys move one step closer to securing the highest finish ever by a Philippine team in the tournament as they continue their pursuit of ninth place.

     

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