With their semis fate hanging in the balance, Alas Pilipinas showed nerves of steel as they swept New Zealand, 25-17, 25-21, 25-18, on Wednesday at the continuation of the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup at Doang Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The big win comes on the heels of Alas Pilipinas’ heartbreaking five-set loss to Iran on Monday that pushed the Filipinas into must-win territory. The team’s bounce-back victory hiked their record to 3-1 in Pool B, catching up with Iran at joint second place and staying within striking distance of unbeaten Kazakhstan, which has clinched a semis spot already with their four wins.
New Zealand and the Philippines actually got off to a jittery start and were still tied at 8-apiece in the opening set when Eya Laure and Clarisse Loresco led an 8-1 blitz. Alas Pilipinas zoomed ahead, 16-9, setting up their first set victory and giving the team momentum for the sweep.
Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler Pick Up Slack for Alas Pilipinas as Young Stars Rest Up
Laure, one of the veterans of Alas Pilipinas fired 12 points on 8 attacks, 3 aces, and 1 block on top of 8 excellent digs and 9 excellent receptions. Gandler, another Alas Pilipinas mainstay, matched Laure’s scoring with 12 points on top of 6 digs, while Alyssa Solomon shrugged off her sprained ankle to add 11.
The three, incidentally, were at the forefront of Alas Pilipinas’ game-sealing 14-4 run that turned an 11-14 third set deficit into a 25-18 triumph.
Laure, Gandler, and Solomon more than picked up the cudgels for Angel Canino, Shaina Nitura, and PVL Rookie Draft first overall pick Bella Belen. Canino and Nitura didn’t see action against New Zealand, while Belen saw limited minutes only.
Those limited minutes are well-warranted for sure as Alas Pilipinas will need all hands on deck on Thursday when they take on Kazakhstan. A win will send the Philippines to the semis, while a loss—coupled with a likely win by Iran over winless Mongolia—will eliminate the team
