Alas Pilipinas Women hardly broke a sweat in dispatching youthful Qatar, 25-8, 25-2, 25-9, to advance to the classification round of the 20th Asian Games on Sunday at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium in Japan.
The Philippines’ experience and composure proved too much for a Qatar side averaging just 17.58 years old, as Alas overwhelmed its young opposition from the opening serve and allowed just 19 points across three sets.
The dominant victory gave Alas its first win of the tournament and snapped a two-game skid following losses to China and Kazakhstan in the group phase.
Alas put the mismatch on full display in the second set, rattling off 19 consecutive points to turn the frame into a rout. Amie Provido led the charge, scoring 11 of her game-high 19 points in the set alone.
Provido delivered a commanding all-around performance, converting 11 kills on 14 attempts while adding four blocks and four aces for the Philippines. Shaina Nitura and Bella Belen also finished in double figures with 10 points apiece, while Nina Ytang and Alyssa Solomon added seven and six points, respectively.
The numbers further highlighted Alas’ dominance, with the Philippines recording 39 attacks on 61 attempts, 11 blocks, and nine aces in the 52-minute victory.
Qatar, meanwhile, managed just eight attacks and two blocks, while nine of its 19 total points came from Philippine errors.
Alas will face Mongolia next on Monday, with a spot in the ninth-place match at stake. The loser will drop to the 11th-place match.
Sumaia Almadhoun led Qatar with four points.
Qatar, on the other hand, will take on Kyrgyzstan in the 13th-place match.
