Alas reaches AVC Women’s Nations Cup semis after stunning sweep of Kazakhstan

MANILA, Philippines, June 13 ------ Alas Pilipinas hoisted the Philippine flag on top of the group stage. Alas dominated Kazakhstan, 25-21, 25-15, 25-19, to advance to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup semifinals for the second straight year in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The win put Alas at 4-1 as it topped Pool B by virtue of superior match points over Kazakhstan and sealed its place in the knockout rounds. Pouncing on their foes’ shorthanded crew, the Filipinas seized control early and never looked back as Kazakhstan struggled without star spiker Sana Anarkulova, who was out due to a tweaked ankle she sustained last game.

Bella Belen led the Philippines with 16 points off 14 attacks on top of 11 excellent receptions and 3 digs in a remarkable showing to prove her caliber after being picked first in the recent PVL draft. Meanwhile, Alyssa Solomon and Angel Canino put up 14 and 13 points, respectively, as Alas gained payback after being ousted by Kazakhstan in the semifinals of last year’s tournament held here.

After a back-and-forth start, Alas pulled away late in the first set, opening up a 22-16 lead off a block from Canino before clinching the frame thanks to back-to-back Kazakhstan errors. Down 5-6 in the second set, the Nationals fired a 20-9 rally to go up 2-0. In the third set, Alas broke a 17-17 deadlock by scoring the next five points, four of which came from the NU Lady Bulldogs duo of Solomon and Belen for a 22-17 lead.

Belen then scored the next two attacks for Alas before Solomon drilled the match point. With identical 4-1 records, the Philippines and Kazakhstan will represent Pool B in the semifinals. Alas will face Chinese Taipei, which placed second in Pool A, at 9 pm on Friday, June 13. A win there will allow Alas to surpass its bronze-medal finish last year. Tatyana Nikitina topped Kazakhstan’s scoring with 12 points.

Source: rappler.com