By all means, Alas Pilipinas has already achieved a lot after sweeping Pool A of the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women.
The Philippines completed its sweep of the preliminaries on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, defeating Chinese Taipei in straight sets, 25-13, 25-21, 25-18.
That victory ensured that Alas will at least match its best finish in any continental tourney, having been in fourth place during the 1962 and 1966 Asian Games.
The Nationals will face Pool B’s second seed, Kazakhstan, in the knockout semifinals on Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
But for Eya Laure, one of the team’s main gunners, this squad can be even better once they spend more time together.
“I think maigsi pa lang kasi yung time na nagkasama-sama kami, pero kapag dumating yung time na mas mahaba na yung time – na nagkaroon na kami ng bonding, ng jelling – of course mas mabubuo yung teamwork pa namin,” said Laure, who unloaded 15 points against the Taiwanese side.
“Yung nakikita niyo ngayon, I think mas mahihigitan pa namin ‘to,” said the Chery Tiggo star.
A win by Alas against the Kazakhs will give the Philippines its best finish ever in an Asian-level tournament.
The last time these two nations met, Kazakhstan got the better of the Philippines, winning in five sets, 25-21, 17-25, 24-26, 27-25, 15-6.
That Filipino squad was led by the core of National University, with Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug, who logged 30 points against the Kazakhs, but it was not enough.
Laure, despite Alas’ good performance, wants to keep winning and seize this incredible moment in front of the home crowd.
“Nandito na kami so hindi na kami titigil na gumawa ng history para sa Philippine volleyball,” said the 25-year-old outside spiker out of University of Santo Tomas.
“Balik lang ulit kami sa training. Kung ano lang ibigay samin ni coach Jorge, ng mga coaches namin, kung ano lang sabihin nila magsi-stick lang kami sa system na ibibigay nila at ita-try namin i-apply kung ano ‘man yung mga napagusapan namin,” added Laure on what needs to be done against Kazakhstan.
