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, 21-25, to open their 2025 VTV Women’s International Cup campaign on Sunday.
Fifteen days removed from their clash in the 2025 AVC Volleyball Nations Cup finals, a retooled Philippine squad continued to struggle in decoding Vietnam’s system — opening Pool A with a 0-1 record.
The group also includes Australia and Chinese club side Sichuan Wuliangchun.
Alas Pilipinas’ 14-woman roster features several new faces, including MJ Phillips, Tia Andaya, Alleiah Malaluan, Maddie Madayag, Amie Provido, Justine Jazareno, Mars Alba, Leila Cruz, Lams Lamina, and Van Sickle.
The team is looking to build chemistry as they take on Sichuan next, on Monday at 5:30 PM at the same venue.
Van Sickle and Cruz helped the Nationals take an 18-16 lead in the first set, but the momentum shifted quickly. Vietnam unleashed a decisive 9-2 run, capped by a block and a crosscourt kill from Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, to snatch the opener.
The second set saw the home team take control early, with timely hits from Tran Thi Bich Thuy pushing Vietnam to a 19-12 cushion. But the Filipinas fought back, with Van Sickle scoring through the block, Vi Thi Nhu Quynh committing an attack error, and Dell Palomata delivering an ace to bring the Philippines within two, 21-19.
Still, the Vietnamese proved steadier in crunch time, turning to team captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Bich Tuyen to close out the set and put the Philippines in a 0-2 hole.
In the third, MJ Phillips tied the frame at 15 with a quick hit from the middle, but Vietnam countered with a crucial 5-1 spurt to open a 20-16 lead. The Nationals could not mount a late rally from there.
Malaluan came alive late, scoring two pivotal hits to pull the team within three, 22-19, but back-to-back combination plays finished by Bich Tuyen sealed the deal for the host nation.
Van Sickle paced the Nationals with 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while Cruz also finished with 12 points on 11 attacks and one block.
Phillips followed closely with 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks, while Palomata chipped in seven points on four blocks, two attacks, and one ace.
With the win, Vietnam improved to 2-0 in the tournament, following their sweep of Australia on Saturday.
Bich Tuyen powered Vietnam with 19 points on 16 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while “T4” provided 16 points on 14 attacks and two blocks.
The Vietnamese will try to complete a Pool A sweep when they battle Sichuan Wuliangchun on Tuesday, July 1, still at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium.
