CANINO, DE GUZMAN, PALOMATA SHINE AS ALAS WOMEN MAKE HISTORY IN NATIONS CUP

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas handed the Philippines its first silver medal finish in an AVC-sanctioned tournament after placing second at the AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Filipino volleybelles suffered a 15-25, 17-25, 14-25 beatdown at the hands of the hosts and three-peat champs Vietnamese at the Dong Anh Arena on Saturday night, ending the tournament with a 5-2 win-loss slate.

Still, there's nothing to be ashamed of for world no. 46 Philippines in losing to the taller, faster, and just more experienced world no. 28 Vietnam, an Asian powerhouse.

The Filipinos reached the final of an AVC tournament for the first time in 64 years and eclipsed its bronze medal finish last year when the Nations Cup was still carrying the brand 'Challenge Cup' in Manila.

Fueling the historic finish for Alas were Angel Canino, Jia De Guzman, and Dell Palomata.

Converted to Opposite Spiker last year, when she even won the top honor for the position, Canino returned to her natural Outside Hitter post and became the best in the tourney this year.

Showcasing her class in the Asian level, the De La Salle Lady Spiker ace became Alas' leading scorer for the second straight year.

Tran Thi Thanh Thuy or 'T4' claimed the other Best Outside Spiker award.

The ever-reliable and steady Jia De Guzman bagged her second straight Best Setter plum, orchestrating the plays for the Jorge Souza de Brito-coached team.

Meanwhile, Dell Palomata seized her first international award by emerging as one of the two Best Middle Blockers in the competition, the other one being Taiwanese Kan Ko-hui.

Vietnamese Nguyen Khanh Dang pocketed the Best Libero plum while her teammate Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen clinched the Best Opposite Spiker and Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

2025-06-15T06:36:30Z