Alas gets back on track with AVC Women's Cup sweep of Kyrgyzstan

June 9 ------ ALAS Pilipinas Women made sure there would be no lingering effects from its Australia collapse, overwhelming Kyrgyzstan, 25-9, 25-11, 25-17, to return to the win column in the 2026 AVC Women's Cup at the Candon City Arena.

The Nationals needed just one hour to dispatch the winless Kyrgyz side and improve to 2-1 in Pool A, less than a day after seeing a two-sets-to-none lead slip away in a heartbreaking five-set defeat. Thea Gagate showed the way for Alas Women with 11 points built on eight attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Jovelyn Gonzaga chipped in 10 points in a welcome bounce-back performance.

Captain Alyssa Valdez added nine points, while Ces Molina recovered from a difficult outing against Australia by contributing eight points and nine excellent digs. There would be no such suspense this time as Alas Women asserted itself from the opening serve and never looked back, repeatedly exposing the gap in class between the two sides through superior attacking, blocking and floor defense.

The match was effectively decided by the third set when the Philippines raced to a 7-0 lead, prompting interim coach Shaq delos Santos to empty his bench and spread the minutes around. The trio of Alyssa Solomon, Ara Galang and Cla Loresco off the bench ensured the intensity never dipped, helping Alas maintain a comfortable cushion all the way to the finish.

Niña Ytang added six points, while Loresco and setter Kyle Negrito scored four each as every Philippine rotation found success against an overmatched Kyrgyz side. The emphatic victory restored momentum for Alas Pilipinas ahead of its toughest assignment yet, a crucial clash against perennial Asian contender South Korea on Tuesday, 3 p.m., with semifinal implications hanging in the balance.

Source: spin.ph