By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas flashed its veteran poise and overcame a gallant stand from the youthful Est Cola, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21, to barge into the semifinal of the 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam Thursday evening, July 3.
Coming off a one-day break, the Nationals found their ways to stifle the energetic Thailand U21 squad in their quarterfinal clash, especially in the third set where they managed to seize an early lead, 13-10, and built a late surge.
The victory arranged the Philippines a semifinal duel against reigning champion Russia-based club Korabelka, which had beaten Australia via a rousing 25-16, 25-16, 25-12 triumph in the quarters.
Alas and Korabelka’ semis battle is set Friday, July 4, at the same venue.
Veteran playmakers Jia De Guzman and Tia Andaya engineered Alas’ offense en route to their third consecutive win in the tournament.
Hitters Brooke Van Sickle, Eya Laure, Leila Cruz, and Vanie Gandler took charge offensively, anchoring the Nationals against the young Thais.
Gandler topscored for Alas with 12 points, while Van Sickle and Laure backed her up with 10 and nine points, respectively.
Also shining for the Jorge de Brito-mentored crew was Dell Palomata who put up crucial stops when the Thais were making their move to recover.
Thai U21, for its offense, banked on Moonjakham Nannaphat and Nualwan Kwannaphat who combined for 27 points in a losing cause.
Before entering the semis, Alas finished pool play with a 2-1 record.
In their group assignments, the Nationals outlasted Chinese club Sichuan (25-12, 25-22, 19-25, 25-15) then made it to two in a row at the expense of Australia (25-13, 25-15, 25-20) — a much-needed morale-booster for the retooled Alas after suffering a straight set loss to host Vietnam (20-25, 21-25, 21-25).
