Cignal’s Vanie Gandler led a team effort by Alas Pilipinas against Mongolia for a winning start to the AVC Nations Cup in Vietnam
Vanie Gandler led nine Alas Pilipinas scorers en route to a dominant sweep of Mongolia, 25-18, 25-16, 25-14, to get things going in Pool B of the AVC Nations Cup in Vietnam on Saturday.
Gandler converted consistently in all three sets to finish with 16 points, built off of 13 attacks, one block, and two service aces.
The Cignal HD Spikers star finished off a lengthy first set, where Alas Pilipinas had to weather a gutsy Mongolia side seeking a win as they returned from their absence from last year’s edition, which was then known as the AVC Challenge Cup.
Gandler converted on a set from Dawn Macandili-Catindig as Alas capped a 36-minute set.
Apart from Gandler, Angel Canino and Eya Laure also added significant offense on the wings, finishing with 11 and seven markers, respectively.
Skipper Jia De Guzman was also able to utilize her middles with Thea Gagate and Dell Palomata scoring six points apiece. Palomata manned the net on defense with three blocks to her name.
Adamson ace rookie Shaina Nitura made her debut for the national team, checking in late in the third set when Alas was ahead by eight, 20-12.
Despite entering the match late, Nitura was able to make her presence felt with a thunderous point that put the Philippines up by 10, 23-13.
Three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen then scored the last two points by Alas to finish off Mongolia. Belen had six points in the victory.
Saruulgerel Ganbaatar paced Mongolia in the losing effort with 13 markers.
All but two players for Alas — Cla Loresco and Alyssa Solomon — saw action for head coach Jorge de Brito in their opening game in Vietnam. Alas plays Indonesia next on Sunday, June 8.