Alas Pilipinas suffers its first loss in the AVC Nations Cup at the hands of Iran.–AVC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas lost steam in the last two sets, absorbing its first defeat in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup at the hands of Iran, 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 23-25, 13-15, on Monday in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Alas was two points away from winning the game in the fifth set after Shaina Nitura and Dell Palomant’s clutch hits and Vanie Gandler’s ace, 13-11, only for Zahra Salehi and Khalili Chermahini to tie the frame.
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Angel Canino committed a costly attack error that sent the Iranians at match point, 14-13, followed by an initial centerline fault from Nitura, but coach Jorge Souza De Brito called for a challenge, which was deemed successful to force a reply.
Salehi, however, nailed the game-winning block on Canino to complete the come-from-behind win and inch closer to a semifinal berth with a 3-0 record in Pool B, tied with Kazakhstan.
Canino, the tournament’s best opposite hitter, led Alas anew with 21 points off 17 kills, two blocks, and two aces, only to slide to a 2-1 record.
Eya Laure stepped up with 16 points built on 12 kills, three blocks, and an ace, as they missed Alyssa Solomon, who sprained her left ankle in the fourth set of Sunday’s win over Indonesia.
Palomata remained consistent with 10 points. Bella Belen and Fifi Sharma chipped in eight points each, while Nitura added six, with Jia De Guzman pacing the young squad.
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The Philippines faces a must-win situation in its last Pool B games against New Zealand on Wednesday and Kazakhstan on Thursday with only the top two teams from the group advancing to the semifinals.
Chermahini led Iran with 21 points, while Masi Tabaghdehi and Salehi added 16 and 12 points, respectively.
After dropping the second set, Alas unleashed a strong 19-11 fightback in the third but blew its big lead as Iran tied the match at 22-all. Palomata and Canino restored the order and brought the Philippines to set point, 24-23, but the latter’s attack error allowed deuce.
Canino made up for her miscue and regained the advantage for Alas before Laure nailed the set-clinching spike that landed straight to Iran’s line.
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Alas erased a 15-19 deficit in the fourth set, but fell short in closing out the game as Iran forced a decider.
