Alas Pilipinas Women saw their quarterfinal hopes end after Kazakhstan rallied past them, 27‑29, 26‑24, 25‑23, 25‑19, in the 20th Asian Games on Thursday at the Okazaki Central Park General Gymnasium in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan.
The Philippines fought through multiple deficits and took the opening set, but Kazakhstan answered in the next three frames to finish Alas Pilipinas’ Pool B campaign at 0‑2.
Angel Canino once again led the Filipinas, finishing with 23 points on 20 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace. Alyssa Solomon added 20 points, including 9 in the second set, on 15 attacks, 4 blocks, and 1 ace.
Alas Pilipinas Women Fall Short in Comeback Bid
Alas Pilipinas Women appeared headed for a strong response after falling behind 18‑14 in the opening set. Canino sparked the comeback with 9 points, including 4 of the team’s final 6. Her crosscourt hit gave the Philippines a 27‑26 lead before Eya Laure put the set away with a cut shot, allowing Alas to take the first frame, 29‑27.
The Filipinas again found themselves chasing in the second and third sets, but Kazakhstan managed to withstand both comebacks. Alas Pilipinas had opportunities to take control of the second set, but Kazakhstan held on in the closing points to force a decider. The Kazakhs then edged the Philippines in another tight third set to move ahead, 2‑1.
Kazakhstan took control early in the fourth, breaking away from a narrow 9‑8 lead with a 12‑5 run led by Kristina Belova and Tatyana Nikitina. The surge gave the Kazakhs a 21‑13 cushion. Bella Belen and Canino tried to spark one last comeback with a 5‑2 run, cutting the deficit to 23‑18, but Kazakhstan held its ground to close out the match.
Nikitina led Kazakhstan with 19 points, while Zhanna Syroyeshkina and Polina Ufimtseva added 17 and 14, respectively.
The loss sends Alas Pilipinas Womento the qualification phase, while Kazakhstan and China, who previously beat the Philippines, advance to the quarterfinals from Pool B. Kazakhstan will face China on Friday, September 18, for the top spot in the group.
