Angel Canino and Jia De Guzman will once again be the focal points of Alas Pilipinas’ offense against two-time defending champions Vietnam in the AVC Nations Cup Finals.
Alas Pilipinas are one win away from completing a Cinderella run — but the biggest mountain stands in their way.
Led by breakout star Angel Canino and skipper Jia De Guzman, the Philippines guns for a historic upset when it battles host Vietnam in the AVC Nations Cup Finals on Saturday, June 14, at 9 p.m. (Manila time) in front of what should be partisan crowd in Hanoi.
It marks the Philippines’ first-ever appearance in an AVC final — a milestone already for the resurgent program — after gutting out a five-set thriller against Chinese Taipei in the semifinals.
[READ: Alas Pilipinas heads to AVC Nations Cup Finals after escaping Chinese Taipei in 5-set thriller]
Now comes the ultimate test.
World no. 46 Alas Pilipinas face undefeated and world no. 28 Vietnam, which is gunning for a three-peat in the regional tilt.
The hosts have swept all five of their matches so far, including a dominant 25-15, 19-25, 25-7, 25-16 win over Kazakhstan in the semifinals that featured a jaw-dropping third-set beatdown.
Vietnam will again lean on the explosive Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, who torched Kazakhstan for 28 points and has been one of the most unstoppable forces in the tournament.
But Alas has been riding its own wave of momentum. Canino has been the team’s top scorer all tournament long, while De Guzman — in her return from club duties in Japan — has kept the offense steady and unpredictable, setting up Alas' loaded attacking cast.
Speaking of the loaded cast, Bella Belen has come alive in the stretch run for Alas, while Alyssa Solomon is rounding into form after suffering a mid-tournament injury.
Adding depth and explosiveness, star scorers Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, and Shaina Nitura also wait on the wings for Alas.
[ALSO READ: Jia de Guzman proud of Alas Pilipinas surpassing 'test of character’ in AVC Nations Cup semis]
With nothing to lose and history already made, the Philippines hopes to write one more chapter — and this one could be golden.
(With reports from Luisa Morales)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]