Alas Pilipinas secures AVC Challenge Cup semifinal spot

Alas Pilipinas secured its third consecutive victory at the AVC Challenge Cup 2024, clinching a knockout semifinal spot by defeating Chinese Taipei on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum and climbing from no. 63 to no. 55 in the latest FIVB world rankings.

The team completed a four-game sweep of Pool A with a dominant performance against Chinese Taipei, winning the match 25-13, 25-21, 25-18 to ensure first place in Pool A and secure their historic semifinal appearance in any AVC tournament in 63 years.

Captain Jia De Guzman praised the new starters for making the team more unpredictable ahead of the semifinals against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

Former PVL Best Outside Spiker Eya Laure led Alas Pilipinas with a game-high 15 points, while Vanie Gandler contributed 12 markers in Sunday's match.

Head coach Jorge Souza de Brito rested key players like Angel Canino and Sisi Rondina for Tuesday's semifinal against Kazakhstan to give younger players more playing time and build their experience.

Vetted national team libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, honored to lead the young squad, expressed her pride in making history as the first Philippine team to reach the AVC Challenge Cup semifinals since 1961.