Alas Pilipinas got off to a rousing start in their 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup campaign on Saturday, blasting Mongolia, 25-18, 25-16, 25-14, at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The star-studded squad flashed fine form right from the get-go led by Vanie Gandler and Angel Canino, who did heavy damage on the wings, and Jia De Guzman, who orchestrated the Alas Pilipinas offense masterfully.
Despite a roaring start, Mongolia kept within striking distance of Alas early, even tying the match at 13-all in the first set. But with Gandler, Dell Palomata, and Eya Laure leading the way, the country’s volleybelles unleashed a backbreaking 10-3 blitz that put the set away in favor of the Filipinas. Gandler, fittingly, ended the first set with a kill, setting up Alas’ sweep.
Alas Pilipinas Keep Hits Coming for First 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup Win
With set 1 under their belts, Alas Pilipinas turned up the heat in the second and third sets, showing their immense firepower and capitalizing on Mongolia’s many miscues—including a couple in Alas’ 8-2 finishing kick to seal set 2 and get on the proverbial hill.
Alas took a vise grip on the match in set 3, racing out to a 14-9 lead and outscoring Mongolia 11-5 the rest of the way to end the match with a flourish. Gandler, again, was instrumental in Alas’ game-ending blitz, with newcomers Bella Bellen and Shai Natura, who made their 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup debut, chipping in as well.
Gandler finished with 16 big points anchored on 13 attacks, 2 service aces, and 1 block, while Canino put up 11 markers on 10 attacks and 1 block. Laure added 7 points, while Belen, Palomata, and Thea Gagate tallied 6 apiece.
Ganbaatar Saruulgerel led Mongolia with 13 points, while Ganbold Enkhnaran chipped in 10.
Alas Pilipinas will continue their 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup campaign on Sunday against Southeast Asian powerhouse Indonesia.
