CANDON, Ilocos Sur – Amid the scrutiny and uncertainty that surrounded its buildup to the tournament, Alas Pilipinas delivered a statement performance, crushing Uzbekistan, 25-16, 25-12, 25-14, in its opening match of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, on Saturday at the Candon City Arena here.
Fielding a revamped roster that came together only weeks before the tournament, the Philippines showed little sign of rust, shaking off an early challenge in the opening set before overwhelming the Uzbeks the rest of the way to secure a 1-0 start in Pool A.
Alas Pilipinas received a significant boost from veterans Jovelyn Gonzaga, Alyssa Valdez, and Ces Molina in the absence of Alyssa Solomon as it opened its campaign with a victory in the tournament co-presented by the FIVB, AVC, Volleyball World, and the City Government of Candon, led by Mayor Eric Singson.
Valdez, Gonzaga, Molina, and interim head coach Shaq Delos Santos last teamed up during the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila in 2019.
“Napakasaya sa pakiramdam, we never really thought na we’re gonna go back here together,” said team captain Valdez, who finished with a game-high 14 points built on 11 attacks, two blocks, and one ace. She also had eight excellent digs in her first national team appearance since 2023.
“But andito kami, so we’ll take this opportunity para makapag-share rin ng knowledge sa mga bata na nasa national team,” she added.
Gonzaga, 34, contributed 12 points on 10 attacks and two service aces while adding 13 excellent digs. Niña Ytang also impressed in her national team debut, tallying 12 points from eight attacks and four kill blocks.
Molina chipped in a double-double of 11 points and 15 excellent digs, while Thea Gagate added eight points on seven attacks and one block in the one-hour, eight-minute victory.
It was an emphatic start for a squad assembled on short notice, with several key Alas Pilipinas mainstays opting out of national team duty amid continuing issues surrounding the suspended Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
“Siyempre happy kami and proud sa team kasi siyempre, alam niyo naman kung ano ‘yung mga pinagdaanan namin. But knowing them, especially ‘yung mga veteran player namin, ‘yung leadership, grabe ‘yung impact,” Delos Santos said.
Riding the momentum of its opening victory, the Philippines will look to make it two straight wins when it faces Australia on Sunday at 3:00 PM at the same venue.
Malikakhon Tursunpulatova paced Uzbekistan with 10 points and eight excellent digs.
Zebokhon Absamatova added six points, while Dilnoza Boymirzaeva and Nigina Mirzaeva chipped in five points apiece for the Uzbeks, who led only once at 2-0 in the opening set before Alas Pilipinas seized control for good.
