Alas Pilipinas enters a David vs. Goliath situation as they face hosts and two-time defending champions Vietnam in the AVC Nations Cup final.
Count on three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen to pull out all the stops as she and Alas Pilipinas vie for the improbable against two-time defending champions and hosts Vietnam in the final of the 2025 AVC Nations Cup on Saturday evening.
Fresh off of a character building win against Chinese Taipei the night before, Belen and company have the chance to etch their names in the history books once more with the program’s first-ever title in an AVC tournament.
[RELATED: Alas Pilipinas head to AVC Nations Cup Finals after escaping Chinese Taipei in 5-set thriller]
While already assured of their best finish in the tournament, a competitive Belen said that she and the rest of the team will go at their foes with everything but the kitchen sink.
“I will do my best [against Vietnam] and I will just think of what can I do for the team in order to beat Vietnam,” Belen said after the game.
Belen and the rest of Alas were on a high on Friday night, staving off a gritty Chinese Taipei team in a competitive five-setter to qualify for the team’s first-ever AVC finals match. But emotions are being kept in check as they are set to hurdle an even bigger challenge.
[READ: Jia de Guzman proud of Alas Pilipinas surpassing 'test of character’ in AVC Nations Cup semis]
The Capital1 Solar Spiker said that the team is expecting a tougher fight this time around.
“I’m very happy because we really want to win this game. Not just for us, but for the Philippines and no words can explain how much we wanted this game,” she said, speaking of the semifinal against Chinese Taipei.
“And we’re gonna prepare for [the final] because we know it’s gonna be harder for us because it’s team Vietnam," she added.
Belen is the second top scorer for Alas Pilipinas, behind collegiate rival Angel Canino. Both will be looking to make an impact in the game.
Meanwhile, as far as head coach Jorge de Brito is concerned, the team will be handling the match against Vietnam much like any other assignment.
That is — the Brazilian mentor isn’t keen on putting more pressure than there already is on his players.
“Of course, there’s a history but right now we’re looking at the present. We’re not gonna put this pressure to make the goal, or even the finals, but we’ll fight and do our best and the results will come as we keep on playing," he said.
Alas Pilipinas tangle with hosts Vietnam in the last match of the tournament slated for 9 p.m., Manila time. The Philippines last won over Vietnam during the 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix where they beat Vietnam in five sets to clinch a bronze medal finish in the second leg of the tournament.
Since then, the Philippines has lost five matches in a row against Vietnam — four of which came via 3-0 sweeps in favor of the Vietnamese.