Alas Pilipinas might not have gotten the storybook ending they were gunning for in the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup after they lost to Vietnam in the gold medal match on Saturday. But the team, led by veteran Jia De Guzman, certainly left an indelible mark in tournament with their talent, grit, and resilience.
The team’s historic silver—the country’s best finish in an international competition since the 1997 Southeast Asian Games—can attest to that for sure as they beat some great teams along the way, including Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei. Just as impressively, three Alas Pilipinas players in Jia De Guzman, Angel Canino, and Dell Palomata were named among the best in their respective positions in the awarding ceremony after the Vietnam vs. Philippines finale.
Jia De Guzman Named Best Setter
Jia De Guzman is unquestionably the country’s finest setter for the longest time now and is revered by her peers because of her unmatched playmaking and unflappable approach. But her masterful setting isn’t just a local thing as De Guzman was once again named Best Setter in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup following her award last year.
The PVL’s Best Setter eight times over, De Guzman was once again superlative for the Philippines, masterfully orchestrating the Alas Pilipinas offense with her trademark poise and precision. The veteran setter finished with 24 excellent sets in five pool play matches for third overall in total excellent sets to bag the award.
Angel Canino Hailed Best Outside Spiker
Named Best Opposite Spiker in last year’s AVC Women’s Nations Cup, Angel Canino showcased her unique versatility by adding Best Outside Spiker to her growing list of achievements.
Canino was sensational in her second Nations Cup, firing 74 points on 62 attacks, 7 blocks, and 5 aces across six matches to finish 12th in total scoring in the tournament. In all, she averaged 12.33 points to stamp her class as among the best outside spikers in the competition alongside Vietnam captain Tranh Thi Thanh Thuy (T4), who finished with 67 points for an average of 11.17 markers per game.
Dell Palomata Gets Her Due as Best Middle Blocker
Dell Palomata has often been overshadowed in the PVL, but her presence on defense has always been undeniable—and her efforts were duly recognized in Vietnam as she was named one of the Best Middle Blockers of the tournament.
Palomata anchored Alas Pilipinas’ net defense with 1.83 blocks a game to go along 5.83 points per match. Standing tall with the Filipina as the best middle blockers were Kan Ko-hui of bronze medalist Chinese-Taipei, whose 12 blocks in the eight-day tilt was among the best.
Rounding out the AVC Women’s Nations Cup Dream Team are Vietnam’s Nguyen Khanh Dang and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen. Dang was adjudged Best Libero while Tuyen was named Best Opposite Spiker and tournament MVP after norming 15.17 points a game and finishing with 91 total points.
Check out the AVC Dream Team below:
- Best Libero – Nguyen Khanh Dang (Vietnam)
- Best Setter – Jia De Guzman (Philippines)
- Best Outside Spikers – Angel Canino (Philippines) and Tranh Thi Thanh Thuy (Vietnam)
- Best Opposite Spiker – Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen (Vietnam)
- Best Middle Blockers – Dell Palomata (Philippines) and Kan Ko-hui (Chinese Taipei)
