Alas Pilipinas Women are now one win away from a ninth‑place finish in the 20th Asian Games after sweeping Mongolia, 25‑13, 25‑11, 25‑20, on Monday at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium in Japan.
After their medal hopes ended with losses to China and Kazakhstan in Pool B, the Filipinas have responded with back‑to‑back straight‑set victories over Qatar and Mongolia in the classification stage.
Angel Canino once again led the charge with 14 points, while Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen added 11 and 10, respectively. Thea Gagate also turned in her best showing of the tournament with 6 points, including 3 aces, 2 attacks, and 1 block.
Alas Pilipinas in Control From Start to Finish
Alas Pilipinas controlled the match from the opening set, but Mongolia offered its biggest resistance in the third. With the score still within reach late in the frame, Solomon and Shaina Nitura delivered the closing blows to prevent Mongolia from extending the match.
The win puts the Philippines in the ninth‑place match against Hong Kong on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Hong Kong reached the same stage after beating Nepal in its opening classification game. The Philippines now needs one more victory to finish ninth in the 14‑team field.
After missing out on the medal rounds, Alas Pilipinas can still close its Asian Games campaign on a high note.
