Alas Pilipinas Women fell to the Japan-based team Saga Hisamitsu in straight sets, 19-25, 16-25, 16-25, to open the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
In Dawn Catindig’s first game as team captain and Mars Alba’s national team debut, the Springs’ all-around play proved too much for the Philippines, who were missing Jia De Guzman due to her commitment with the Denso Airbees.
This match marked the Alas Women’s return after securing back-to-back bronze finishes in the Vietnam and Thailand legs of the SEA V.League.
“This [experience] is also good because, as I told my players, it is an opportunity to always learn,” said national team head coach Jorge de Brito. “The most important thing here is for us to expose them to a high level of international matches. Without these, we won’t grow.”
The Japanese team took control early in the match, turning a 16-10 lead into a 25-19 set win to draw first blood.
Alas Pilipinas’ offensive struggles continued in the second set, where they were dominated by the Springs in the attacking department (16-7), resulting in a 25-16 win for Saga Hisamitsu and a two-sets-to-none advantage.
Despite showing improvement in the third frame, the Philippines’ efforts were not enough to secure a set against the Japanese team.
With Alas Pilipinas taking a brief one-point lead (8-7) after a Saga Hisamitsu error, the nine-time Japan V.League champions responded with a 13-4 run to complete their sweep of the Philippines.
The Philippines will face Saga Hisamitsu again to close the Invitationals tomorrow at the same time and venue.
