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Tag: 2026 AVC Volleyball Nations Cup

  • Ara Galang embraces mentor role in first Alas Pilipinas stint 

    Ara Galang embraces mentor role in first Alas Pilipinas stint 

    Ara Galang arrived in Alas Pilipinas without the expectations that once followed her during the height of her career.

     

    There were no discussions about carrying the offense, dominating opponents, or recreating the version of herself that once ruled the collegiate and professional ranks.

     

    Instead, Galang brought something the national team arguably needed just as much: perspective.

     

    At 31 years old and making her first appearance for the national team, the former La Salle superstar found herself in a unique position. She was no longer the young player chasing opportunities but the veteran finally getting one.

     

    And somewhere along the way, she became one of the most influential figures inside the Alas camp.

     

    The impact wasn’t necessarily measured in points or statistics.

     

    It was felt in the admiration of teammates who once watched her from afar.

     

    Veteran libero Alyssa Eroa admitted she had always dreamed of sharing the court with Galang, while younger national team standouts Niña Ytang, Alyssa Solomon, and Kyla Atienza drew inspiration from playing alongside one of Philippine volleyball’s most recognizable names.

     

    Even Alyssa Valdez, whose fierce battles against Galang helped define an era of the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry, found herself embracing a new role as a teammate rather than an opponent.

     

    For Galang, the realization came as a surprise.

     

    “Honestly, I don’t really know,” said Galang in Filipino. “I just try to give my best every day. But it’s heartwarming to know that I still inspire them until now, and that’s something I’ll carry with me every day.”

     

    The veteran opposite hitter understands the rarity of her journey.

     

    Unlike many national team mainstays who earn international exposure at a young age, Galang received her chance later than most.

     

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    That reality has shaped how she approaches her role with Alas Pilipinas.

     

    Rather than focusing on personal achievements, she hopes her story encourages younger players to value every opportunity that comes their way.

     

    “I know that’s one of the biggest dreams of every athlete. I hope that when the opportunity comes for them, they’ll seize it and make the most of it. Hopefully, they’ll be able to bring honor and pride to the Philippines as well,” said Galang.

     

    “This isn’t just any opportunity. I’m incredibly grateful, and at the same time, I’m proud to represent the Philippines. I hope people continue to support Alas Pilipinas.”

     

    As much as Galang appreciates the admiration she receives from younger teammates, she is equally excited about the generation poised to lead Philippine volleyball forward.

     

    Among them is Alyssa Solomon, whom Galang believes possesses the talent to become a cornerstone of the national team for years to come.

     

    “She’s a special talent. She has so much potential and still has a long journey ahead of her. She’ll be able to contribute a lot to Philippine volleyball, and I’m really looking forward to seeing her in future games with the national team,” Galang said.

     

    Alas Pilipinas may still be searching for consistency on the international stage, but Galang sees reason for optimism.

     

    And while her first national team stint may have arrived later than expected, her influence on the program could end up lasting far longer than the tournament itself.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas closes AVC Women’s Cup with loss to Iran, finishes eighth 

    Alas Pilipinas closes AVC Women’s Cup with loss to Iran, finishes eighth 

    The final score against Iran was only part of the story.

     

    When Alas Pilipinas walked off the floor of the Candon City Arena on Sunday, it marked the end of a tournament that demanded far more than wins and losses from the national team.

     

    A campaign that began with hopes of another podium finish instead concluded with an eighth-place result after Iran handed the Filipinas a 25-21, 25-12, 25-21 defeat in the AVC Women’s Cup classification match.

     

    It was the country’s lowest finish in the tournament in recent years, a stark contrast from the bronze-medal breakthrough in 2024 and the silver-medal run in 2025.

     

    But unlike those squads, this version of Alas Pilipinas entered the competition carrying a completely different reality.

     

    Several key members of the previous core were unavailable, forcing the national team to lean heavily on veterans Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and Ara Galang while integrating younger players into major international roles.

     

    The challenge became even greater when the team had to navigate uncertainty surrounding the suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) by the FIVB, creating distractions away from the court during the tournament.

     

    Against Iran, those growing pains surfaced once more.

     

    The Filipinas struggled to find offensive rhythm as Iran dictated the tempo behind the dominant play of Elaheh Poorsaleh Shahdehsari, who erupted for 18 points and spearheaded the victory in just 70 minutes.

     

    Iran seized control of the match after a competitive opening set and never allowed Alas to gain momentum, particularly in a lopsided second frame.

     

    The Filipinas showed fight late in the third set.

     

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    Trailing at match point, Gonzaga and Kyle Negrito helped stave off elimination briefly by trimming the deficit to three points at 24-21. But Gonzaga’s ensuing service error sealed the result and officially closed the chapter on Alas Pilipinas’ AVC campaign.

     

    Fatemeh Khalili Chermahini added nine points for Iran, while Zahra Salehi and Yasna Ahankoub Roo chipped in eight each. Ayda Valinezhad contributed seven markers in the balanced Iranian attack.

     

    For the Philippines, Gonzaga led the scoring with six points. Niña Ytang finished with five, while team captain Valdez and Tots Carlos added four and three points, respectively.

     

    Despite the disappointing finish, Valdez chose to focus on what the tournament may ultimately mean for the program’s future.

     

    “The results may not have gone our way, but our biggest hope is that the younger players continue to answer the call and represent the Philippines in the future,” said an emotional Valdez in Filipino.

     

    That message may ultimately define Alas Pilipinas’ 2026 AVC Women’s Cup campaign.

     

    The Filipinas battled through a difficult Pool A schedule, finishing with a 2-3 record that included victories over Kyrgyzstan and Australia, while suffering defeats to eventual finalists South Korea and Chinese Taipei.

     

    There were flashes of promise from emerging players, valuable experience gained against elite Asian competition, and lessons learned from competing under difficult circumstances.

     

    The final standing may show eighth place.

     

    But for a team in transition, the tournament may be remembered more as the beginning of a new chapter than the end of a disappointing one.

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez sees bright future for young Alas Pilipinas core despite AVC Cup semifinal miss

    Alyssa Valdez sees bright future for young Alas Pilipinas core despite AVC Cup semifinal miss

    The Philippine women’s national team concluded its pool stage campaign in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Cup with a 2-3 record, capped by a 25-16, 25-14, 25-10 defeat to Chinese Taipei on Thursday that officially ended its hopes of reaching the semifinals.

     

    Yet for Alas Pilipinas captain Alyssa Valdez, the tournament was never solely about the final standings.

     

    With the Philippine National Volleyball Federation facing mounting scrutiny over governance concerns and several established national team players declining invitations to suit up, the federation was left to rebuild around a mix of veteran PVL standouts and young UAAP prospects.

     

    That situation could have easily fractured the program. Instead, Valdez saw a squad that chose to embrace the challenge.

     

    “One thing that we wanna, something that we’re proud of is to actually represent the country. Despite all the things that are happening everywhere, despite the noise,” Valdez said.

     

    The statement reflected the mindset that has guided the retooled squad throughout the tournament. While the previous roster of Alas Pilipinas were defined by breakthrough podium finishes—a historic bronze medal in 2024 followed by a silver-medal run in 2025, the current team entered the competition carrying a different mission.

     

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    Many of the players who helped engineer those achievements are no longer part of the national team setup, with only Alyssa Solomon and Thea Gagate remaining from the core group that previously elevated the Philippines to its highest finishes in continental competition.

     

    The transition has thrust a younger generation into larger roles against seasoned international opponents.

     

    That experience gap was evident against Chinese Taipei, which controlled the match from the opening set behind the combined 27-point effort of Hsu Wan-Yu and Tsai Yan-Cheng, who scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.

     

    Alas Pilipinas struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the 68-minute contest, with no player reaching double figures. Solomon led the Filipinas with six points, while Ces Molina and Niña Ytang added three points apiece.

     

    Despite the one-sided result, Valdez pointed to a larger lesson that she believes will benefit the team moving forward.

     

    “We really need preparation and most especially veterans na din mga nakakalaban namin dito. Kami, as veterans din pero siyempre kailangan din ng quality time together as a team,” the three-time PVL MVP said.

     

    For a roster still learning to play together at the international level, building chemistry may be just as important as the results themselves.

     

    And while the semifinal dream ended sooner than hoped, Valdez remains convinced that the experience gained by the team’s younger members could pay dividends in the years ahead.

     

    “Madami pang maabot ‘yung mga bata dito, so hopefully magandang experience ito para sa kanila,” she said.

     

    As Alas Pilipinas turns its attention to future tournaments, the captain believes the foundation has already been laid—not through medals or victories, but through a group that remained committed to wearing the national colors despite the challenges surrounding the program.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas misses AVC semis after Chinese Taipei rout

    Alas Pilipinas misses AVC semis after Chinese Taipei rout

    For a few days in Candon City, Alas Pilipinas kept the possibility alive.

     

    A win over Chinese Taipei, combined with help from other results, was the narrow path to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup semifinals. But by Thursday afternoon, that door had slammed shut.

     

    Chinese Taipei overwhelmed the host nation from the opening exchanges and never looked back, completing a commanding 25-16, 25-14, 25-10 sweep at the Candon City Arena to end the Philippines’ pool-phase campaign.

     

    The loss dropped Alas Pilipinas to 2-3 in Pool A and sent the team into the classification phase, where it will now play for either fifth or seventh place depending on the remaining results.

    What made the defeat more painful was how little rhythm the Filipinas were able to establish against one of the tournament’s most organized teams.

     

    Chinese Taipei controlled the match with disciplined blocking, cleaner transition play, and sustained pressure from the service line, preventing the home crowd from ever seeing the extended momentum swings that had fueled earlier Philippine victories in the tournament.

     

    Alyssa Solomon, expected to carry much of the scoring burden, was held to six points on five attacks and one block. Veterans Alyssa Valdez and Nina Ytang added only three points each as the Philippine offense struggled to break through the Taiwanese defense.

     

    On the other side, Chinese Taipei showcased the balanced attack that made it one of Pool A’s strongest teams throughout the tournament. Hsu WY and Chang YC led the way with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while the Taiwanese side repeatedly punished loose receptions and overpasses.

     

    The result also highlighted how much this year’s Alas Pilipinas group differs from the squads that produced the country’s recent continental breakthroughs.

     

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    The Philippines entered the tournament without much of the veteran core that powered the program to a historic bronze medal in 2024 and a silver-medal finish in 2025. This edition leaned more heavily on younger players and a reconfigured rotation, and the inconsistency showed during the five-match pool campaign.

     

    Still, the tournament has offered glimpses of promise amid the disappointment.

     

    Young contributors like Ytang and Thea Gagate showed they can compete at the international level, while the team’s earlier wins over Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan provided valuable experience for a roster still trying to build chemistry.

     

    For now, though, the immediate reality is harsher.

     

    Chinese Taipei improved to 4-0 and secured the first semifinal berth from Pool A, while Alas Pilipinas was left to regroup and refocus on finishing the tournament strongly despite missing out on the medal round.

     

    The classification phase may no longer carry championship stakes, but for a national team trying to develop a new identity, the remaining matches still matter.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas faces do-or-die test against Chinese Taipei in AVC Women’s Cup 

    Alas Pilipinas faces do-or-die test against Chinese Taipei in AVC Women’s Cup 

    For all the progress Alas Pilipinas has shown in the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup, everything now comes down to one match.

     

    The Filipinas enter Thursday’s showdown against Chinese Taipei knowing that their tournament fate is no longer entirely in their hands. Still, the first order of business remains simple: win.

     

    After dropping a straight-set decision to South Korea, Alas Pilipinas finds itself in a must-win situation at the Candon City Arena, where a loss would officially end its semifinal hopes and send the team to the classification phase of the tournament.

     

    A victory, however, would keep the door open.

     

    The Philippines carries a 2-2 record and seven points in Pool A, trailing unbeaten South Korea and Chinese Taipei, who both own identical 3-0 slates and nine points. With South Korea heavily favored to maintain its grip on the top spot, Alas Pilipinas must first take care of Chinese Taipei and then hope results elsewhere break in its favor.

     

    What makes the challenge even steeper is the level of opposition awaiting the host nation.

     

    Chinese Taipei has looked every bit like a semifinal contender behind the firepower of Yu-Chun Tsai and Yi-Chi Chang, giving the Filipinas little room for error in a match that could determine whether their medal aspirations survive another day.

     

    Yet despite the pressure, the mood inside the Philippine camp remains one of belief rather than desperation.

     

    “At this point… dami naming natutunan, pinagaralan, so sana buong puso naming haharapin ‘yong susunod nang laban,” said team captain Alyssa Valdez.

     

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    “Syempre best effort pa rin, bigay lang namin ‘yong best namin, ‘yong makakaya namin, and susubukan talaga namin lahat ng makakaya namin,” added veteran middle blocker Ara Galang.

     

    Alas Pilipinas will lean heavily on middle blocker Thea Gagate, who has emerged as one of the team’s most consistent performers after leading the scoring in each of its last two matches.

     

    Niña Ytang is also expected to play a pivotal role after earning praise from South Korean star Kang Sohwi for her strong performances throughout the tournament. Alongside them, Alyssa Solomon, Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Kyle Negrito, Alyssa Eroa, Kyla Atienza, and Tots Carlos will be tasked with delivering a more complete team effort against one of the tournament’s toughest squads.

     

    The situation is straightforward for the Filipinas.

     

    Win, and their hopes remain alive.

     

    Lose, and their quest for a podium finish comes to an end.

     

    With a passionate home crowd behind them and their AVC campaign hanging in the balance, Alas Pilipinas now faces its biggest test yet in Candon City.

     

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  • AVC ends speculation over covered PNVF marks on Alas player jerseys 

    AVC ends speculation over covered PNVF marks on Alas player jerseys 

    The missing PNVF logos on the uniforms of Alas Pilipinas Women sparked plenty of questions this week. As the national team continued its campaign in the AVC Women’s Cup, many wondered whether the taped-over federation markings were a silent message amid the growing turmoil surrounding the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.

     

    The Asian Volleyball Confederation has now provided a definitive answer.

     

    In a move aimed at ending speculation, the AVC clarified that the absence of the PNVF logo on the Philippine uniforms has nothing to do with the federation’s ongoing leadership crisis and everything to do with tournament regulations.

     

    Since Monday’s match against Kyrgyzstan, fans noticed that the PNVF markings on both the playing and warm-up jerseys of Alas Pilipinas had been covered. The timing naturally fueled discussions, with the federation currently facing suspension from the FIVB, the withdrawal of Philippine Sports Commission funding, and a widening internal dispute that has left president Tony Boy Liao under mounting pressure.

     

    However, according to the AVC, the matter is purely procedural.

     

    In a June 9 letter signed by AVC executive vice president and tournament control committee president Mohamed Latheef, the continental body explained that the Philippine team was simply following the uniform guidelines imposed for the tournament.

     

    Under AVC regulations, only specific identifiers are allowed in designated portions of the jersey, including the country flag, country name or code, approved manufacturer logo, and authorized sponsors. Federation logos are not permitted in those restricted areas.

     

    “The AVC does not allow any participating team to place supplementary graphics, including National Federation logos, in the specific positions reserved for the officially mandated country flags, country codes, manufacturer marks, or approved sponsors,” the letter stated.

     

    The governing body further stressed that any additional markings in those locations would violate tournament regulations.

     

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    “The Alas Pilipinas team is currently in full compliance with AVC rules by omitting the PNVF logo from these strictly regulated areas on their match jerseys,” the AVC wrote.

     

    The clarification comes at a time when the national team has been trying to keep its focus on competition despite the noise surrounding the federation.

     

    While administrative issues continue to dominate headlines off the court, officials have repeatedly urged the players to concentrate on representing the country.

     

    Among them is PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, who recently called on stakeholders to rally behind Alas Pilipinas regardless of the ongoing controversy.

     

    “There is a time for commercial volleyball and there is a time for the national team. Kapag Alas ang pinag-uusapan, dapat lagi tayong magkakampi at sama-sama. The best gift you can give to yourself is to wear that Philippine team uniform. It is your gift to the nation,” Gregorio said.

     

    “We want all of you to just concentrate. Kalimutan nyo yung pulitika ng sports. Kalimutan nyo yung pulitika ng pederasyon nyo.”

     

    For now, the AVC’s clarification puts an end to one of the tournament’s biggest off-court talking points, confirming that the logos were covered not as a statement, but as a requirement. As far as the continental governing body is concerned, Alas Pilipinas remains fully compliant and fully focused on the competition at hand.

     

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  • Korea halts Alas Pilipinas rally, sends Filipinas into must-win situation against Chinese-Taipei 

    Korea halts Alas Pilipinas rally, sends Filipinas into must-win situation against Chinese-Taipei 

    South Korea proved too much for Alas Pilipinas on Tuesday afternoon, handing the host nation a 25-16, 25-18, 25-22 defeat in Pool A of the 2026 AVC Women’s Nations Cup at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.

     

    The loss dropped the Filipinas to a 2-2 record in the tournament, putting them in a precarious position heading into their final pool-stage assignment against unbeaten Chinese Taipei.

     

    After splitting the opening two sets, Alas showed signs of mounting a serious challenge in the third frame. The Filipinas briefly seized momentum and built a 20-18 advantage behind the steady play of their young middle blockers and a more aggressive attack.

     

    However, the experienced Koreans responded when it mattered most.

     

    South Korea unleashed a decisive 5-0 run to turn a two-point deficit into a commanding lead, silencing the home crowd and taking control of the match down the stretch. Alas Pilipinas struggled to regain its footing as the visitors completed the sweep and secured another crucial victory in the tournament.


    The Koreans held the edge in most statistical categories, finishing with a 46-36 advantage in attack points while also dominating at the net with seven blocks compared to the Philippines’ four.

     

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    Thea Gagate paced the Filipinas with nine points built on five attacks, three blocks, and one ace. Nina Ytang continued her impressive tournament run with eight points on seven attacks and one block.


    South Korea was powered by team captain Kang So-hwi, who delivered a match-high 19 points anchored on 15 attacks, three aces, and one block. Her timely scoring helped spark the crucial third-set comeback that ultimately sealed the contest.

     

    Despite the defeat, Alas Pilipinas showed flashes of competitiveness against one of Asia’s traditional volleyball powers, particularly in the third set where they pushed the Koreans before running out of answers late.


    The Filipinas now face a must-win scenario against Chinese Taipei in their final Pool A match on Thursday. Even with a victory, Alas may still need favorable results from other matches to secure a semifinal berth, with their fate no longer entirely in their hands.


    For now, the focus shifts to regrouping quickly and delivering their strongest performance of the tournament against the pool leaders as they fight to keep their medal hopes alive.


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  • Thea Gagate steps up as Alas Pilipinas finds its footing again

    Thea Gagate steps up as Alas Pilipinas finds its footing again

    For a young national team still searching for consistency, leadership often reveals itself in the moments immediately after disappointment.

     

    That was exactly the situation facing Alas Pilipinas following its painful five-set collapse against Australia, a match that slipped away after the Filipinas held a two-sets-to-one advantage. Less than 24 hours later, the squad returned to the floor with little time to dwell on what could have been.

     

    What followed was a statement performance.

     

    Powered by one of her strongest outings of the tournament, Thea Gagate helped steer Alas Pilipinas to a convincing 25-9, 25-11, 25-17 victory over Kyrgyzstan on Monday at the Candon City Arena, lifting the host nation to a 2-1 record in Pool A of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup.

     

    The victory was more than just another mark in the win column. It was a response from a team determined not to let one difficult night define its campaign.

     

    At the center of that response was Gagate.

     

    After being limited to seven points against Australia, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker reasserted her presence on both ends of the floor. She controlled the middle with timely blocks, finished attacks efficiently, and provided stability to a lineup looking to regain its confidence.

     

    Gagate finished with 11 points on eight attacks, two blocks, and one ace, leading a balanced Alas attack that overwhelmed Kyrgyzstan from the opening whistle.

     

    Yet the former top overall PVL Draft pick viewed the performance less as an individual breakthrough and more as a reflection of the team’s ability to learn from adversity.

     

    “Inisip lang namin ‘yung mga lapses namin nung last game, and ginawan lang namin ng paraan para maka-recover and mabalik ‘yung kumpyansa ng bawat isa,” said Gagate.

     

    “Well, iniisip lang talaga namin ‘yung sarili namin, ‘yung teammates namin. Siyempre, nandoon din ‘yung tiwala ng bawat isa and especially sa coaches. Malaking bagay kasi sila rin ‘yung naghe-help sa amin maging buo as a team.”

     

    While much of the current roster is still building chemistry on the international stage, Gagate occupies a unique position within the program.

     

    She is one of only two remaining players from the Alas Pilipinas squad that competed in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, joining fellow holdover Alyssa Solomon. That experience has naturally elevated her role within a roster blending veterans, collegiate standouts, and first-time national team players. 

     

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    Alongside team captain Alyssa Valdez, veteran hitters Jovelyn Gonzaga and Ces Molina, Gagate has quietly become one of the pillars helping guide the new-look national team through the demands of international competition.

     

    The responsibility is something she has embraced.

     

    “For me, gusto ko lang talaga ibigay ‘yung best ko and gusto ko lang din ma-apply ‘yung mga natutunan ko nga in the past tournaments sa national team. And hopefully, mas marami pa akong maipakita, especially sa upcoming games since important din ‘yung games na ‘yun,” she said.

     

    “Well, siguro puwede kong ibigay sa kanila ‘yung mga natutunan ko in the past leagues sa national team, lalo na sa mga bata. And siyempre tina-try ko rin ‘yung best ko na ibigay lahat.”

     

    The timing of Gagate’s performance could not have been better.

     

    With South Korea looming as the next challenge, Alas Pilipinas enters one of its most important matches of the preliminary round carrying renewed momentum and confidence. And as the tournament progresses, the Filipinas will continue to rely on players who can help transform difficult lessons into immediate growth.

     

    Against Kyrgyzstan, Gagate showed exactly what that looks like. One day after a heartbreaking defeat, she helped lead a team that looked ready to move forward.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas storms past Kyrgyzstan, bounces back with dominant AVC Nations Cup win 

    Alas Pilipinas storms past Kyrgyzstan, bounces back with dominant AVC Nations Cup win 

    It took only an hour for Alas Pilipinas to put its disappointing five-set loss to Australia behind and return to winning form.

     

    The Filipinas delivered a commanding performance from start to finish, sweeping Kyrgyzstan, 25-9, 25-11, 25-17, to secure their second victory in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup at the Candon City Arena.

     

    After being pushed to the limit by Australia a day earlier, Alas left no room for drama this time, overwhelming Kyrgyzstan with superior attacking, disciplined floor defense, and a balanced offensive attack.

     

    The Philippines seized control immediately in the opening set, racing to an 11-3 advantage behind relentless pressure at the net. A block by Thea Gagate extended the lead to 18-8 before a service ace from Kyle Negrito pushed the margin to 19-8.

     

    Alas continued to pile on the points with a 5-0 run that stretched the lead to 20-8, leaving Kyrgyzstan with no answers. Veteran wing spiker Cess Molina eventually closed out the frame with a powerful attack to seal a lopsided 25-9 opening-set victory.

     

    The numbers reflected the domination, with Alas converting 16 attack points while Kyrgyzstan managed just one attack point in the set.

     

    The momentum carried into the second frame as young middle blocker Niña Ytang emerged as a key contributor on both ends of the floor. Her defensive presence and timely attacks helped the Filipinas establish a 10-4 lead, highlighted by a setup that led to an Alyssa Valdez kill.

     

    Alas never looked back, building a 15-5 cushion midway through the set before stretching the advantage to 18-6. Ytang continued her strong outing with another point that made it 21-7.

     

    Molina once again helped bring the Philippines to the brink, scoring for a 24-10 lead before Cla Loresco finished the set with a quick attack to hand Alas a comfortable 25-11 win.

     

    The Filipinas capitalized on 14 attack points and took full advantage of eight Kyrgyzstan errors in the second set.

     

    Determined to finish the match quickly, Alas opened the third set with a 5-0 run fueled by back-to-back points from Jovelyn Gonzaga.

     

    Gonzaga remained aggressive early, scoring three of the team’s first seven points as the Filipinas established control. Kyrgyzstan attempted to mount a response with three consecutive points, but Ytang quickly halted the rally with another attack that restored an eight-point lead at 14-6.

     

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    Alas continued to dictate the pace, eventually stretching the margin to 20-10 as victory came into sight.

     

    To its credit, Kyrgyzstan showed more resistance late in the third set and managed to surpass the 15-point mark for the first time in the match. However, the comeback attempt never seriously threatened the Filipinas.

     

    A Kyrgyzstan error brought Alas to match point before Loresco delivered the final blow, hammering down the match-winning spike to complete the straight-sets triumph.

     

    Gagate led the balanced offensive effort with 11 points built on eight attacks, two blocks, and one ace. Gonzaga added 10 points, while team captain Alyssa Valdez chipped in nine.

     

    Ytang and Loresco combined for 10 points, but their impact extended far beyond the scoresheet. Both young middle blockers anchored the defensive effort with timely blocks and strong floor coverage that repeatedly disrupted Kyrgyzstan’s attack.

     

    Meanwhile, Alyssa Solomon, who erupted for 23 points against Australia, was limited to three points as Alas spread the offense among multiple scorers.

     

    For Kyrgyzstan, Aiturgan Aitbekova finished as the team’s top scorer with four points.

     

    The biggest difference, however, came in attack production. The Philippines dominated the category, 48-12, showcasing the offensive firepower that fueled one of its most convincing victories of the tournament.

     

    With the bounce-back win, Alas Pilipinas regained momentum and strengthened its position in Pool A as it continues its campaign in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup.

     

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  • This Week’s Sports Fixtures: PBA, NBA, Alas Pilipinas, and Alex Eala’s HSBC Championships (June 8 – 14)

    This Week’s Sports Fixtures: PBA, NBA, Alas Pilipinas, and Alex Eala’s HSBC Championships (June 8 – 14)

    A busy stretch of sports action unfolds from June 8 to 14, 2026, with major competitions across volleyball, tennis, basketball, and the NBA Finals all taking center stage. From Alas Pilipinas’ AVC Women’s Cup campaign to Alex Eala’s continued rise on the WTA Tour, and the high-stakes PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals between TNT and Ginebra, fans are set for a week packed with must-watch matchups across multiple arenas.

     

    AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup

     

    June 8 (Monday) 

    • 3:00 PM – Alas Pilipinas vs Kyrgyzstan

      June 9 (Tuesday)
    • 3:00 PM – Alas Pilipinas vs South Korea

    June 11 (Thursday)

    • 3:00 PM – Alas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei

    Tennis – HSBC Championships (Women’s Singles)

     

    June 9 (Tuesday)

    • 5:00 PM – Alex Eala vs Zhang Shuai (Round of 32)

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    PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals

     

    Game 4 – June 10 (Wednesday) Smart Araneta Coliseum

    • 7:35 PM – TNT Tropang 5G vs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

    Game 5 – June 12 (Friday) Smart Araneta Coliseum

    • 7:30 PM – TNT Tropang 5G vs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

    NBA Finals

     

    June 9 (Tuesday)

    • 8:30 AM PHT – San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks

    June 11 (Thursday) 

    • 8:30 AM PHT – San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks

    June 14 (Sunday) 

    • 8:30 AM PHT (if necessary) – San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks

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