Alas Pilipinas’ Vanie Gander (3) led the way for the Philippines against Mongolia in the AVC Nations Cup in Vietnam.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas opened its Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup campaign with a 25-18, 25-16, 25-14 sweep of Mongolia on Saturday at Dong Anh District Center for Culture, Information and Sports in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Vanie Gandler was a revelation as Alas starter, unleashing a game-high 16 points built on 13 kills, two aces, and a block to deliver the team’s first win in Pool B.

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas women at AVC Nations Cup in Vietnam

Angel Canino, the tournament’s Best Opposite Spiker, continued to thrive in her national team position with 11 points, as Best Setter and team captain Jia De Guzman paced the Philippines with 10 excellent sets and 12 digs on top of two points.

Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito leaned on last year’s core, making Gandler the starter with last year’s main gunner Sisi Rondina returning to the national beach volleyball team.

Eya Laure chipped in seven points, while Dell Palomata and Thea Gagate had six points each.

Three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen provided the spark off the bench with six points to get enough momentum for Alas ahead of their game against Indonesia on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

READ: Alas Pilipinas heads into AVC Nations Cup with higher expectations

Alas needed to break a tight first set with a precarious 18-16 lead, before dropping a 7-2 run to take the opening set.

The Filipino Spikers dominated the last two sets, especially in the third, mounting a 23-13 spread.

Saruulgerel Ganbaatar carried Mongolia with 13 points, while Enkhnaran Ganbold had 10 points.