Alas Pilipinas finished pool play with a 2-1 slate in the VTV Cup, as they prepare for the quarterfinals.
Alas Pilipinas made it back-to-back wins at the 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup after handily beating Australia, 25-13, 25-15, 25-20, in Phú Tho, Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon, as they get ready for the quarterfinals.
Alas, which broke through on Monday against Chinese club Sichuan Wuliangchun, made light work of the Aussies who hardly threatened the Filipinas in the first two sets. The Philippines improve to a 2-1 slate in Pool A.
While final quarterfinal matchups set for July 3 have yet to be determined, the Filipina spikers bring momentum into the next round after an impressive showing.
Vanie Gandler took control for Alas, who also still had the steady offense from PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle.
The team repeatedly took advantage of Australia’s bad passing, firing off several aces throughout the three-set affair — including two from Gandler in a 3-0 burst to end the first set in a lopsided win for Alas, 25-13.
The scoring burst capped off a set for Alas, where they ran away midway through the set with a 9-1 run after Australia took an early 7-6 lead.
Then in Set 2, the Philippines recovered from squandering an early 6-1 lead as the Aussies leveled at 6-all. But Gandler and Van Sickle, along with movement in the middle courtesy of Dell Palomata, helped the nationals run away from the dominant 2-0 lead, 25-15.
In Set 3, it was a little more of a match thanks to a desperate Aussie side who were within striking distance late, 14-17, prompting a timeout from head coach Jorge de Brito.
But a last push, buoyed by the playmaking of newbie setter Tia Andaya and offense from Alleiah Malaluan, helped Alas stave off their foes and take the three set victory.