Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Alas Pilipinas

Alas Women fall to Saga Hisamitsu in straight sets to open Invitationals


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.

#ReadMore  Balancing Are, Escobido, Desoyo a 'good problem' for Kallos
Written By

A dreamer from Marikina, a reporter on the sidelines


You May Also Like

Alas Pilipinas

ILAGAN, ISABELA — During Petro Gazz’s championship run in the 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, some critics were quick to label Brooke Van...

Alas Pilipinas

MONTALBAN, RIZAL — With Alas Pilipinas Women riding high after impressive campaigns in the AVC Challenge Cup and the VTV International Volleyball Cup, head...

Alas Pilipinas

Alas Pilipinas Women settled for fourth place in the 2025 VTV Women’s International Cup after falling to a determined Chinese Taipei squad in straight...

Alas Pilipinas

Alas Pilipinas Women’s valiant run came to a halt after suffering a 16-25, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25 defeat to defending champion Korabelka in the semifinals...

Alas Pilipinas

Eya Laure delivered a stellar performance to power Alas Pilipinas Women past Est Cola, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21, and into the semifinals of the 2025...

Alas Pilipinas

Alas Pilipinas Women took care of business with a commanding 25-13, 25-15, 25-20 sweep of Australia to solidify their grip on the second seed...

Alas Pilipinas

Alas Pilipinas bounced back big, recovering from a third-set collapse to close out China’s Sichuan Wuliangchun in four sets, 25-12, 25-22, 19-25, 25-15 for...

Alas Pilipinas

Brooke Van Sickle’s stellar national team debut went for naught as Alas Pilipinas Women fell in straight sets to regional powerhouse Vietnam, 20-25, 21-25,...

Advertisement