Game changer Arah Panique earns praise from Alas teammates, coach

Arah Panique is the youngest player in Alas Pilipinas, yet she showed the biggest of hearts.

Against the world no. 30 Kazakhstan in the knockout semifinals, Alas Pilipinas faltered in straight sets after absorbing a 25-23, 25-21, 25-14 loss to ultimately end their magical run in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.

But the silver lining in the sweep loss was Panique, who shone off the bench to give the Philippines some hope in the match, before finishing with a team-high 14 points.

Her performance, though, didn't come as a surprise to head coach Jorge de Brito, who said he's always been a believer of Panique's potential after watching her in the UAAP with National University.

"It was not a surprise for me. The guys who were watching the games in the UAAP know that she has the potential. She's not under pressure anymore to play under any kind of competition. She's really comfortable," de Brito said in the post-game interview.

"She's young, she makes some mistakes but it happens only when the players go inside. So, I'm really proud of her."

"Not even showing any hesitation to do any actions inside."

Panique subbed in for Sisi Rondina midway through the first set and made an immediate impact for the Filipinas, who were trailing by 11 at the time she entered the court.

The 6-foot Panique then took charge, scoring six points to fuel a 12-2 barrage alongside Angel Canino.

But Kazakhstan found ways to counter to take the opening frame and, eventually, the victory.

Panique said she was just always ready whenever her name gets called.

"Siguro po pinakita ko lang po kung ano yung kaya ko and tiwala po sa sarili na sinasabi lagi ng mga ates na magtiwala lang palagi sa sarili and sa ibang kasama po, especially kay Ate Jia (de Guzman), nagbigay talaga siya ng tiwala," she said.

"And sa mga coaches na nagtitiwala din po sa'kin na ipasok po ako and always ready lang yung sarili."

[I guess I just showed what I'm able to do and trusted myself and my big sisters just told me to trust myself and my teammates, especially Ate Jia, she gave me confidence... And my coaches also trusted me and brought me and I was always just ready.]

De Guzman also heaped praises for Panique, who was actually just a late addition to the team after original option Casiey Dongallo had to beg off due to an injury.

"Si Arah kasi, sobrang ganda ng pasok niya kanina. She added so much sa offense namin and at the same time, she’s just so energetic and so eager to play na kaming nasa loob, nadadala rin kami," de Guzman, the team captain and setter, said.

"Ang ganda rin kasi nakikita namin na malalim din ‘yung bench namin and bukas magagamit pa rin namin ‘yun."

[Arah, she did really well when she came into the game. She added so much to our offense and at the same time, she's just so energetic and so eager to play, it rubs off on everyone on the floor... It's good to see that our bench is so deep and we have players we can still use.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News