Alas Pilipinas Women made quick work of a Sana Anarkulova-less Kazakhstan, cruising to a straight-sets victory, 25-21, 25-15, 25-19, to secure a second consecutive semifinals appearance in the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup on Thursday at the Doang Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Powered by the returning trio of Bella Belen, Angel Canino, and Alyssa Solomon, the Philippines avenged its semifinal loss to Kazakhstan in the previous edition of the tournament.
With the win, Alas wrapped up the group stage with a 4-1 record — identical to Kazakhstan’s — but clinched the top seed in Pool B by virtue of a superior point ratio.
Iran, currently holding a 3-1 record and still set to play later in the day, has already been eliminated from semifinal contention due to having the lowest point ratio among the three teams in the potential tie.
Canino, who was rested in yesterday’s win over New Zealand, and Belen, who played limited minutes in that match, returned reinvigorated and led the charge in the crucial encounter.
Belen delivered a standout performance with a game-high 16 points on 14 attacks and two blocks. She also anchored the floor defense with 11 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
Canino was equally effective, contributing 13 points alongside 11 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Solomon also made her presence felt with 14 points built on 11 attacks, two aces, and a block, while adding five excellent digs. Middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Dell Palomata chipped in five points apiece to bolster the frontline.
Kazakhstan showed signs of life in the third set, threatening to extend the match with a 17-all deadlock. But Solomon and Belen sparked a decisive 5-0 run — highlighted by a pair of Kazakh errors — that pushed the Philippines ahead, 22-17.
Margarita Belchenko briefly stopped the bleeding with a soft cross-court kill, but Belen responded with back-to-back points to bring Alas to match point, 24-18.
Belchenko answered once more for Kazakhstan, but the momentum remained firmly with the Filipinas. Solomon ended the match with a sharp cross-court attack, sealing their semifinal berth for the second straight year.
The Philippines is likely to face Chinese Taipei in the semifinals tomorrow.
Kazakhstan missed the services of Anarkulova, their leading scorer heading into the matchup, after she appeared to suffer a right ankle sprain in their previous win over Iran. The veteran outside hitter landed awkwardly on an opposing attacker’s foot and was unable to suit up for the match.
Tatyana Nikitina led Kazakhstan with 12 points, while Belchenko finished with nine in a losing effort.
