Alas Pilipinas Women swept Australia on Tuesday afternoon, 25-13, 25-15, 25-20, to improve to 2-1 and sealn second place in Pool A of the 2025 VTV Women’s International Cup at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam. The win comes after they disposed of Sichuan Wuliangchun on Monday.
Despite the lopsided score, Alas Pilipinas Women actually started off slow and had tense moments in the opening frame. But once the team settled in, the simply overwhelmed the Australians with their talent, firepower, superior ball movement, and superb defense.
Alas Pilipinas Women Blitz Australia
Middle blockers MJ Phillips and Dell Palomata were on the forefront of the team’s early turnaround, sparking Alas Pilipinas Women to a 15-5 scoring run that turned a 7-6 deficit to a 21-12 lead. Back to back aces from Vanie Gandler and a block by Brooke Van Sickle then sealed the first set victory.
In the second frame, Australia again kept in step with the Philippines early, knotting the count at 6-6 before Leila Cruz scored on two straight aces to fire up another Alas run, this time a 9-2 blitz that gave Alas Pilipinas Women a 15-8 cushion that proved insurmountable. Alleiah Malaluan’s crosscourt kill to wrapped up the second set for the Filipinas.
Australia made one last gallant stand in the third frame by cutting six-point Alas lead to 17-14. But Alas Pilipinas Women held off the Australians led by Gandler’s firepower and some great defense. In fact, La Salle Lady Archer Amie Provido sealed the win with one final block.
On to the Knockout Crossover Semis
With the victory, Alas Pilipinas Women will know set their sights on the semis after Vietnam swept Chinese club Sichuan Wuliangchun, also on Tuesday. With the Philippines and Vietnam both winning their final assignments, they sealed the top two spots in Pool A, with the latter sweeping their way to the semis.
The Filipinas will face the under-21 team of Thailand on Friday with a spot in the final on the line. The gold medal and bronze medal matches will be on Saturday.
