Alas Pilipinas finished outside the podium finish as they succumbed to the Chinese Taipei squad, 17-25, 24-26, 22-25, in the battle for third in the 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup.
Brooke Van Sickle led the team once again with 16 points in 15 attacks and one block, while MJ Phillips contributed 11 points.
For Chinese Taipei, Yi-Chi Chang scored a game-high 19 points in 16 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Shuang-Ling Liu contributed 15 points in 14 attacks and one block, while Ko-Hui Kan and Liang-Tai Lin added 12 points apiece.
In the semifinals, Alas Pilipinas suffered a heartbreaking defeat against eventual winner, Russia’s Korabelka, 16-25, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25.
In that game, Van Sickle scored a team-high 14 points in 10 attacks and four blocks, while Alleiah Malaluan contributed 11 points in 10 attacks and one block. Vanie Gandler and Eya Laure combined for 16 points.
For Korabelka, Elizaveta Nesterova erupted for 31 points in 30 attacks and one block. Viktoriia Bobrova contributed 16 points in 11 attacks, four service aces, and one block, while Aleksandra Zakharova added 11 points in six blocks and five attacks.
Championship Match
In the championship match, Russia’s Korabelka successfully defended their crown against last year’s finalists, Vietnam, in an extended 25-19, 25-14, 25-23, 25-21, 20-18.
Elizaveta Nesterova led Russia with 29 points in 27 points, while Viktoriia Bobrova added 20 points in 14 attacks, three blocks, and three aces. Anastasia Cherniaeva had 15 points in 13 attacks while Elizaveta Palshina and Varvara Filippova combined for 21 points.
For Vietnam, Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền erupted for 47 big points in 45 attacks and two blocks, while Tran Thi Thanh Thuy added 18 points in 13 attacks, four blocks, and an ace.
Dream Team
Russia’s Elizaveta Nesterova won the MVP award, while teammate Irina Filishtinskaya won the Best Setter Award.
Russia’s Viktoria Bobrova and Vietnam’s Trần Thị Thanh Thúy shared the Best Outside Spikers award, while Chinese Taipei’s Kan Ko-hui and Russia’s Elizaveta Palshina won the Best Middle Blockers award.
Vietnam’s Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền took home the Best Opposite Spiker, while Nguyễn Khánh Đang was proclaimed as the Best Libero.
Philippines’ very own Leila Cruz won the Miss VTV Cup 2025.
What’s Next for Alas Pilipinas?
After the VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup, Alas Pilipinas will next compete in the 2025 SEA Women’s V.League. The first leg will be held in the Philippines from August 1-3.
After that, Indonesia will host the second leg from August 8-10.
