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Tag: AVC U18 Championship

  • 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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  • Alas Boys shift focus to Bahrain after opening loss to Iran in AVC U18 Championship 

    Alas Boys shift focus to Bahrain after opening loss to Iran in AVC U18 Championship 

    The learning process began immediately for Alas Pilipinas in the 2026 AVC Boys’ U18 Volleyball Championship.

     

    Facing one of Asia’s traditional volleyball powerhouses in its opening match, the Philippine boys’ national team showed flashes of promise but ultimately fell to a more experienced Iranian side, 25-17, 25-20, 25-13, on Sunday at the Wuyuan River Gymnasium in Haikou, China.

     

    While the straight-set scoreline reflected Iran’s dominance, the Filipinos found encouraging moments—particularly in the second set—where they briefly threatened to shift the momentum.

     

    After struggling offensively in the opening frame with only eight attack points, Alas Pilipinas responded with greater confidence in the second set.

     

    Powered by Djomari Gamotea, Raphael Galapin, and Elijah Marticion, the Filipinos erased an early deficit and battled their way to a 19-19 deadlock, putting pressure on one of the tournament favorites.

     

    Iran, however, responded with the composure expected of a perennial contender.

     

    Middle blockers Heydari Sefat Pedram and Chodorarkhoei Aydin controlled the net during the closing stretch, helping Iran capture six of the final seven rallies before carrying that momentum into a dominant third set to wrap up the match in one hour and five minutes.

     

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    Despite the defeat, head coach Oliver Balse saw valuable lessons from his young squad’s opening outing.

     

    “We just fell short—despite tying the score at 19-19 in the second set,” Balse said. “We need to work on our defense.”

     

    Elijah Marticion paced the Philippine offense with eight points built on seven attacks and one block, while Raphael Galapin and Ar-Raquib Dais chipped in five points apiece.

     

    Iran leaned on the firepower of Nima Piri and Abolfazl Pashaamiri, who finished with 16 and 15 points, respectively, to lead the defending powerhouse to victory.

     

    Although the result was disappointing, Balse remains confident that the team’s potential has yet to be fully realized.

     

    “We’ll keep on working and fighting to get better,” Balse said. “The skills are there, it’s a matter of squeezing them out.”

     

    With the tournament still in its early stages, Alas Pilipinas has little time to dwell on the loss as it quickly turns its attention to its next assignment against Bahrain on Monday.

     

    For the young Filipinos, the challenge now is transforming the positives from their spirited second-set performance into a complete match as they continue their quest for a breakthrough victory in the continental championship.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas U18 ends AVC campaign on winning note with sweep of Chinese Taipei 

    Alas Pilipinas U18 ends AVC campaign on winning note with sweep of Chinese Taipei 

    Alas Pilipinas U18 made sure its final impression at the 2026 AVC Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship was its strongest.

     

    The young Filipinas capped their campaign with a commanding 25-20, 25-20, 25-21 victory over Chinese Taipei on Tuesday at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University in Thailand, securing a ninth-place finish in the 16-nation tournament.

     

    While a quarterfinal berth ultimately slipped away earlier in the competition, the national youth squad refused to dwell on missed opportunities. Instead, it responded by winning its last three matches in dominant fashion, closing the tournament with confidence and momentum.

     

    Leading the way in the finale was Ma. Ellanie Lorraine Gonzalvo, who once again spearheaded the Philippine attack with 15 points built on 14 kills and an ace. She also contributed seven digs to help the team control both ends of the floor.

     

    Sharina Rhyza Lleses provided another reliable scoring option, tallying 11 points on attacks while adding six digs, as the Filipinas consistently found answers against the Chinese Taipei defense.

     

    Jhaynna Bulandres also delivered an all-around effort with 10 points, highlighted by seven attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Ysabella Patricia Cruz and Adeleine Terese Agustin chipped in five markers each, with Agustin making her presence felt at the net through three blocks.

     

    Running the offense was setter Micaella Gould, who finished with 69 excellent sets while contributing two points and four digs. Irish May Mahinay added an ace, while libero Frances Dianne Ramos anchored the backcourt with eight digs and four excellent receptions. Ghenievib Belen also helped stabilize the defense with three digs.

     

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    The victory completed a strong turnaround for the Philippines after a challenging preliminary round.

     

    Alas Pilipinas opened its campaign by defeating Iran in four sets before consecutive losses to regional power Japan and Indonesia denied the squad a chance to advance into the championship bracket.

     

    Rather than letting those setbacks define its tournament, the Filipinas regrouped in the classification phase, sweeping Uzbekistan and Hong Kong, China before finishing with another convincing straight-set victory over Chinese Taipei.

     

    The three-match winning streak allowed the Philippines to end the continental tournament with a 4-2 record, a respectable finish that highlighted the team’s resilience and continued development against some of Asia’s top youth volleyball programs.

     

    Although the championship rounds continued without them, Alas Pilipinas U18 departed Thailand with valuable international experience and the satisfaction of ending its campaign with three consecutive victories, providing a solid foundation for the country’s next generation of volleyball talent.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Girls keeps top-five hopes alive with dominant sweep of Uzbekistan 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls keeps top-five hopes alive with dominant sweep of Uzbekistan 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls made sure its AVC Girls’ U18 Championship campaign would not end on a disappointing note.

     

    After falling short of a quarterfinal berth, the Filipinas responded with one of their most commanding performances of the tournament, overwhelming Uzbekistan, 25-11, 25-7, 25-9, in the classification round on Sunday at Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

     

    Rather than dwell on what could have been, the young national squad immediately shifted its focus to finishing the tournament on a winning note—and it showed from the opening serve.

     

    The Philippines needed just 58 minutes to dismantle Uzbekistan, controlling every phase of the match with relentless serving, efficient attacking, and disciplined defense.

     

    Sharina Rhyza Lleses and Ella Gonzalvo paced the offense with nine points apiece as Alas barely gave Uzbekistan any room to settle into the contest.

     

    Jhaynna Love Bulandres and Princess Khaira Manzano added five markers each, while Xyz Rayco and four other teammates chipped in four points to highlight the balanced attack.

     

    The Filipinas dictated the pace from start to finish, piling up 14 service aces while dominating the attacking battle, 35-12. They also displayed composure throughout the match, committing only eight errors compared to Uzbekistan’s 22.

     

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    The victory served as a strong response after Alas saw its medal hopes disappear following a straight-set loss to Indonesia that ended its quarterfinal bid.

     

    Despite opening the tournament with an impressive victory over Iran, the Filipinas narrowly missed advancing after finishing with a 1-2 record in Pool C, with their only other defeat coming against eventual pool winner Japan.

     

    Instead of allowing that setback to define their campaign, the young squad quickly rediscovered the form that made it one of the tournament’s surprise teams during pool play.

     

    Uzbekistan struggled to keep pace throughout the one-sided contest, with Ugiloy Abduvalieva leading her team with just seven points before being relegated to the battle for last place.

     

    With confidence restored, Alas Pilipinas now turns its attention to another opportunity to improve its final standing.

     

    The Filipinas will face India on Monday at 1 p.m., with a place in the battle for fifth awaiting the winner as the team looks to end its continental campaign on a high note.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Girls turn focus to Indonesia after loss to unbeaten Japan 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls turn focus to Indonesia after loss to unbeaten Japan 

    One loss has turned the road ahead into a do-or-die mission for Alas Pilipinas Girls.

     

    After opening the AVC Girls’ U18 Championship with an encouraging victory over Iran, the Filipinas were handed a reality check by tournament favorite Japan, absorbing a 20-25, 17-25, 24-26 defeat on Thursday in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

     

    The straight-set result dropped the Philippines to 1-1 in Pool C, making Friday’s clash against Indonesia the team’s biggest match of the tournament so far.

     

    With only the top two teams from the group advancing, Alas Pilipinas now controls its own fate—but only if it can bounce back.

     

    Despite the defeat, the Filipinas showed flashes of the resilience that powered their opening-day win.

     

    Japan dictated much of the first two sets through its disciplined defense and quick offensive combinations, but the Philippines refused to go quietly.

     

    The third set became a showcase of the team’s fighting spirit.

     

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    Alas matched Japan point for point and pushed the perennial powerhouse to the limit before eventually falling just short, 26-24, in a tense finish that highlighted how close the young Filipinas came to forcing a fourth set.

     

    For head coach Ray Karl Dimaculangan, the match wasn’t defined by talent but by opportunities that slipped away.

     

    “We had many opportunities that we did not maximize. We know that Japan is tough, we gave it our best,” Dimaculangan said.

     

    Sharina Rhayza Lleses continued to anchor the Philippine attack, finishing with 15 points behind 13 attacks, one block, and an ace.

     

    Ellaine Gonzalvo added 10 points, while Ysabelle Patricia Cruz contributed seven as the Filipinas searched for answers against one of Asia’s most consistent youth programs.

     

    Now, the team’s attention shifts entirely to Indonesia.

     

    A victory would keep the Philippines firmly in contention for a quarterfinal berth, while another loss would leave its campaign hanging by a thread.

     

    After proving they can compete with one of the continent’s volleyball powerhouses, Alas Pilipinas Girls now faces the challenge of quickly regrouping and delivering its strongest performance when it matters most.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas U18 beats Iran in four sets, braces for powerhouse Japan next 

    Alas Pilipinas U18 beats Iran in four sets, braces for powerhouse Japan next 

    Alas Pilipinas Girls could not have asked for a better start to its campaign in the 2026 AVC Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship.

     

    The young Filipinas opened the continental tournament with a statement victory, defeating Iran in four sets, 25-19, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, on Wednesday, July 1, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, to immediately put themselves in contention for a quarterfinal berth.

     

    The victory also sets the stage for an even bigger challenge as the Philippines now prepares to face perennial Asian contender Japan, last year’s silver medalist, in a crucial Pool C showdown on Thursday.

     

    With only the top two teams in the group advancing to the knockout stage, the win over Iran could prove vital in the race for qualification.

     

    Alas Pilipinas leaned on the firepower of Xyz Rayco, who once again emerged as the team’s offensive catalyst with 19 points. After helping steer the national squad to a historic qualification for the 2026 FIVB Girls’ U17 World Championship last year, Rayco continued to showcase why she remains one of the country’s brightest young volleyball prospects.

     

    Ellaine Gonzalvo also carried over her strong form from the recent 2026 Southeast Asian Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship, where she was recognized as Best Outside Spiker. The Adamson standout finished with 15 points to provide steady support throughout the match.

     

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    Jhaynna Love Bulandres and Adeleine Agustin added nine points each as the Filipinas displayed balanced scoring in overcoming a resilient Iranian side.

     

    The match was anything but straightforward.

     

    After comfortably taking the opening set, Alas Pilipinas lost momentum in the second as Iran answered emphatically to level the contest.

     

    The turning point came in the tightly contested third frame, where the Filipinas held their composure during the closing exchanges to seize a crucial 2-1 advantage.

     

    With confidence restored, the Philippine squad dictated the pace in the fourth set, pulling away late to secure its first victory of the tournament.

     

    The result gives Alas Pilipinas an ideal foundation before arguably its toughest assignment in the group stage.

     

    Japan enters the matchup as one of Asia’s traditional volleyball powers after finishing runner-up in last year’s tournament, making Thursday’s clash a major measuring stick for Karl Dimaculangan’s young squad.

     

    A victory would significantly boost the Filipinas’ chances of reaching the quarterfinals, while another competitive performance could further prove that the country’s next generation is ready to challenge the region’s elite.

     

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  • Alas Girls embrace toughest test yet in AVC U18 Championship 

    Alas Girls embrace toughest test yet in AVC U18 Championship 

    The road to contention begins with one of the toughest opening weeks imaginable for Alas Pilipinas Girls.

     

    Instead of easing into the 2026 AVC Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship, the Filipinas will immediately measure themselves against some of Asia’s most established youth volleyball programs, opening their campaign in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand with consecutive matches against regional heavyweights.

     

    The Philippines starts its Pool C campaign against reigning 2025 Asian Youth U19 champion Iran on Wednesday before facing perennial powerhouse Japan the following day. Indonesia completes the Filipinas’ group-stage schedule on Friday.

     

    While the draw leaves little room for error, head coach Karl Dimaculangan sees the tournament as more than just a race for results. For the national mentor, it is another opportunity for a young core to continue growing on one of the biggest stages in Asian volleyball.

     

    “We have talented players, they just need to improve their level of play,” said Dimaculangan, who will be joined on the coaching staff by Keenan Quitco and Marco Maclang.

     

    Leading the charge is Xyz Rayco, one of the country’s brightest youth prospects after helping steer the Philippines to a historic qualification for the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship in Santiago, Chile last year.

     

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    She will once again be counted on to anchor the team’s attack alongside Adamson standout Ella Gonzalvo as Alas looks to carry over the confidence gained from its recent bronze-medal finish in the Princess Cup, where host Thailand emerged as champion.

     

    Completing the Philippine roster are Sharina Lleses, Frances Ramos, Micaella Gould, May Mahinay, Venus De Guia, Bubay Belen, Ysabelle Cruz, Slash Obera, Ysabelle Tuballas, Princess Manzano, Jhaynna Bulandres, and Adelaine Agustin.

     

    The squad also reflects the country’s growing youth pipeline, with reigning 2026 Palarong Pambansa champion National University providing the bulk of the roster. Lleses stands as the lone representative from King’s Montessori of Quezon City.

     

    Elsewhere in the tournament, host Thailand headlines Pool A together with Uzbekistan, Australia, and Mongolia. China leads Pool B alongside Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, and Kyrgyzstan, while Pool D features Chinese Taipei, Korea, India, and Princess Cup runner-up Vietnam.

     

    For Alas Pilipinas Girls, the challenge begins immediately—but so does the chance to prove that the country’s next generation belongs among Asia’s rising volleyball powers.

     

     

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