Alas Pilipinas reasserts mastery of Australia to claim AVC bronze

Alas Pilipinas showed up its last card after methodically sweeping Australia, 25-23, 25-15, 25-7 to capture the bronze medal in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Filipinas successfully defended their home stand for the country’s best finish in any AVC tournament in 63 years. Australia, which fell to the Philippines in the pool play, will wrap up its campaign at the fourth spot.

Alas stepped on the gas pedal right from the get-go with Sisi Rondina serving back-to-back aces for a 17-10 lead, but the Volleyroos countered with a 10-4 rampage to sklice the gap to one, 21-20. 

Thea Gagate then unleashed a quick kill before Rondina soared from the pipe to finish the opening frame, 25-23. 

Three straight errors from Australia saw the Philippines cruising to an important 19-10 cushion in Set 2 as Angel Canino's service ace sent them to a 23-14 lead. Jia de Guzman's one-two play and a Rondina attack to end a long rally summed up the second period for Alas, 25-15. 

The Philippines made sure to finish it the right way with Eya Laure unloading her own ace, 16-6, before Rondina caught the endline with her cross court hammer as they closed out the game with a 9-0 flush. 

Canino once again came out on top of the scoring for the hosts with 14 points anchored on 13 attacks and one ace while Rondina supplied the help with 13 markers. Eya Laure and Thea Gagate chipped in 10 points each with the latter grabbing three blocks. 

Caitlin Tipping paced Australia with 13 points to emerge as the only player from the opposing side to score in double digits. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News