Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women

Jia De Guzman, Sisi Rondina, Angel Canino shine as Alas down Australia to open AVC Challenge Cup bid


Jia De Guzman’s connection to newcomers Sisi Rondina and Angel Canino made wonders right away.

With the trio’s heroics along with a band of heroes, Alas Pilipinas emerged triumphant in its debut in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women.

The team trounced Australia in four sets, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21, on Thursday evening in front of a roaring crowd of 4,945 fans inside the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

The Philippines currently ranks second in Pool A at 1-0, just behind 2-0 India, which Alas will face tomorrow at 7:00 PM.

Already ahead 17-9 in the fourth set, the Philippines encountered some anxious moments as Australia racked up five straight points to inch within three, 14-17.

However, Alas responded through the crucial contributions of Canino and Eya Laure to rebuild a 21-15 lead.

Still, they also shot themselves on the foot the next plays, committing three straight errors to allow the Volleyroos to pull within three anew, 18-21.

But the Philippines showed maturity and composure when faced with adversities. Laure and Fifi Sharma delivered the finishing blows for the splendid opening game victory in one hour and 59 minutes capped by Rondina’s crosscourt kill.

“Everybody in this gym, also the opponents know that she’s the best setter. She’s one of the best setters we have. She already played outside the country and she’s been leading one team, winning and winning for years, so she has this capacity to lead some young guys,” said Alas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito on De Guzman’s brilliance.

#ReadMore  AVC Cup: Philippines scores breakthrough, downs Iran

“Of course, the guys receive for her, the guys block for her, so it’s quite easy to play with her because she has the skills. The guys helped, so we played as a team,” he added.

AVC-2024-Philippines-vs.-Australia-Jia-De-Guzman-1627 Jia De Guzman, Sisi Rondina, Angel Canino shine as Alas down Australia to open AVC Challenge Cup bid 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women Alas Pilipinas News Volleyball  - philippine sports news

It was Alas who came out in front late in the opening set with a 21-18 lead. But five errors along with hits from Caitlin Tipping and Emma Burton turned the frame around for the Volleyroos, 25-22.

In the first set alone, the Nationals committed 10 errors before limiting those in the ensuing stanzas. They also found their groove in the blocking and service departments paved the way for the win.

Vanie Gandler came off the bench as a service specialist to Thea Gagate halfway through the second – and she was just the spark the Philippines needed.

She entered at 15-14 and hit consistent serves as Alas made four straight points for a 19-14 cushion. That led to the 25-19 equalizer capped by Thea Gagate’s mishit that dropped in the middle of the Australians’ defense.

Canino, Rondina, and Laure then came to work in the third as the Philippines just took advantage of Australia while their coach Russell Borgeaud began to shuffle his players for a 2-1 set lead for Alas, 25-16.

AVC-2024-Philippines-vs.-Australia-Sisi-Rondina-2265 Jia De Guzman, Sisi Rondina, Angel Canino shine as Alas down Australia to open AVC Challenge Cup bid 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women Alas Pilipinas News Volleyball  - philippine sports news

Canino had 17 points in her senior national team debut on 15 attacks, a block, and an ace. Meanwhile, Rondina got 16 points on 15 spikes and one ace in her indoor national team debut.

Laure also tallied 17 points on 14-of-28 attacks, two aces, and a block to her name.

#ReadMore  Like in BON CHAN's timeline, Blacklist notches first win in Week 3 of MPL PH

Gagate delivered a team-high four blocks to finish with 11 points while Sharma had seven points as well.

De Guzman facilitated Alas’ offense the whole game while also getting six points including a game-high three service aces.

Although edged out in the blocking department (7-12), the Philippines’ advantages in the spiking (59-37) and service (9-2) categories were more than enough.

On the other hand, for Australia, middle blocker Kara Inskip was the lone player in double digits with 12 points on six attacks and six blocks.

Tipping had nine, while Burton got eight points in the losing cause too.

Cassie Dodd, who had 10 blocks against Chinese Taipei yesterday, was held to just two blocks and four attacks for six points.

Written By

Just a kid from Cavite trying to make a difference.


You May Also Like

News

Day 1 of the inaugural Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft Combine saw all 47 hopefuls participate in individual drills to impress team representatives at...

News

Consensus top overall pick Thea Gagate brushed aside the pressure as she focuses on helping ZUS Coffee move past its winless campaign and soar...

Alas Pilipinas

By: Ernest Tuazon Creamline outside hitter Tots Carlos is unlikely to play for Alas Pilipinas Women in the upcoming FIVB Challenger Cup scheduled from...

2024 VNL Season

By: Ernest Tuazon Team USA was filled with joy after their brief interaction with the members of the Alas Pilipinas men’s and women’s teams...

Alas Pilipinas

Alas Pilipinas Girls fell prey to a taller Australia side in straight sets, 22-25, 18-25, 20-25, to settle for a 10th-place finish in the...

Alas Pilipinas

Choco Mucho was hampered by injuries in the previous Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference but still reached the finals before eventually bowing to Creamline....

ADMU

The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) announced the initial class for the league’s inaugural Rookie Draft, which will take place on July 8, 2024, on...

Alas Pilipinas

Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge De Brito described Angel Canino as a ‘natural killer’ following her impressive performance in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup....

Advertisement