Alas Pilipinas isn’t hitting the panic button just yet after absorbing their first loss in the AVC Nations Cup, a five-set heartbreaker at the hands of Iran.
Alas Pilipinas hitter Angel Canino said that the team isn’t sweating too much even as they absorbed their first loss in three matches in the AVC Nations Cup, falling in a tough five setter against Iran on Monday.
Still with two matches remaining on their schedule, Canino said that the team is eager to move on from the loss with better understanding of how they can get better, as they continue to strive for a spot in the semifinals.
[READ: Alas Pilipinas suffer first loss in AVC Nations Cup vs Iran]
With New Zealand and higher-ranked Kazakhstan looming on the horizon, there were a lot of things to absorb for Alas Pilipinas.
“It is a tough match sa team namin kasi we also want to win this match and at the same time, we’ve learned so much in this match. So, kung ano mang natutunan namin in this match, maybe it will help us learn more and to help us grow more as a team,” Canino told One Sports.
Alas Pilipinas had multiple chances to win against Iran, including in the fifth set when they were ahead, 13-11.
But relinquishing a 4-0 run to the Iranians, Alas saw its perfect record blemished and fell to 2-1.
For Canino and the rest of the national team, it is important to take both the good and the bad from their latest match.
“It will help us grow as individuals, and siguro kung ano namang nakita namin dito, it’s something na iche-cherish namin as a team,” she said.
“And at the same time, ina-acknowledge namin 'yung mga mali namin and we’ll also acknowledge 'yung mga magagandang nangyari,” she added.
Among things they want to work on is on-court communication, which Canino observed that they need to build up. Still with a couple more games to apply the lessons they’ve learned from the loss, the team is hopeful to get a chance to bounce back.
“Siguro, isang parte na dun 'yung connection inside the court and communication. Kasi isa sa mga bagay na kailangan talaga inside the court is 'yung communication inside the court and outside. So, malaking bagay din talaga,” she said.
“Sabi lang ni ate Jia [De Guzman], it’s okay marami pa kaming games and kung ano man ang natutunan namin ngayon, for sure na madadala namin sa upcoming games namin. Sabi niya samin chin up lang kasi di naman natatapos 'yung games namin ngayon and lumaban naman kami.”
Canino finished as the top scorer for Alas Pilipinas with 20 points in the losing effort. Eya Laure and Dell Palomata added 16 and 10 markers, respectively.
The national team was missing the services of opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon who went down with an injury the day prior.
Fifi Sharma and Bella Belen also had eight points each for the Filipinos.
Alas returns on Wednesday, June 11, where the national team will face New Zealand in a virtual do-or-die match to hopefully keep their semis hopes alive.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada)