Alas Pilipinas goes for bronze in rematch vs. Australia

Alas Pilipinas will look to close out its 2024 AVC Challenge Cup campaign the way it started it: a win with Australia. Only this time, a shot at a podium finish is at stake. 

The Philippines and Australia will lock horns anew in the battle for third at 4 p.m. still at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with the hosts eyeing to repeat their mastery of the Volleyroos, whom they defeated in four sets during their tournament opener last Thursday.

The Filipinas are coming off a straight sets defeat at the hands of world no. 30 Kazakhstan on Tuesday, absorbing a 25-23, 25-21, 25-14 setback in the semifinals to end their Cinderella run.

Prior to that, Alas was on a streak after winning all four games in the pool stage to barge into the Final Four—the country's best finish in any AVC tournament since joining 63 years ago. 

Against Kazakhstan, national team rookie Arah Panique shone the brightest after converting 14 points off the bench while Angel Canino and Sisi Rondina churned out nine and eight markers apiece. 

Ahead of their looming rematch against Australia, team captain Jia De Guzman stressed the need to surpass what they have shown so far in the tourney as they hope to give the home crowd a victory.

"Sobrang proud ko talaga sa team. Wala akong ibang words for it kasi ramdam ko na lumalaban kahit dehado kami, kahit naghahabol kami, kahit mabilis kaming napupuntusan ng Kazakhstan," the veteran setter said. 

"Feel ko pa rin na gustong-gusto lumaban ng bawat isa sa amin whether inside the court or sa bench namin. Bukas, kailangang mas higitan pa namin."

(I'm proud of the team. I have no other words because I felt that we fought despite the odds being against us, even if we tried to catch up, even if Kazakhstan gets points faster. I felt that every one still wanted to fight whether inside the court or in our bench. We still need to do better.)

Alas head coach Jorge de Brito also lauded his wards for fighting against all odds, especially in their clash against a taller and more experienced Kazakhstan side.

"We were prepared to play against them. They have a tough block, they pressured on the first two sets," the Brazilian tactician said.

"What I liked about our team, they never give up at any moment. Also, we played most of the time at the same level as them. These guys are on their way to be much better than this one. It's a promise that they made to themselves."

Regardless of the results of the game, though, the Philippines is already assured of a slot in the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup in July as the country will also serve as its host. 

The winner of the Challenger Cup will qualify for the prestigious and highly-touted Volleyball Nations League (VNL) next year, which will see organizers expanding the number of participants from just 16 to 18 per gender starting in 2025. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News