By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas put up a gallant fight but its best was not enough and yielded to reigning champion Russia-based Korabelka, 16-25, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, in the semifinal of the 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam Friday evening, July 4.
The Nationals displayed steely nerves in the fourth set where they recovered from an 8-15 deficit and turned it into a one-point game, 16-17, but it proved to be their last hurrah as the Elizaveta Nesterova-led Korabelka made a decisive run to deny the Filipina hitters’ 22-24 rally.
With its loss, the Philippines was relegated to a battle for third-place against Chinese Taipei. The two teams are still playing at press time.
Korabelka, on the other hand, remained unblemished in the competition heading into its title defense versus host Vietnam.
Both championship and bronze-medal games are set Saturday, July 5.
Despite having a rough start, Alas maintained its composure and battled its way back to a better outing in the second frame with Alleiah Malaluan’s heroics that level the match at 1-1.
However, momentum shifted quickly as the 19-year-old Nesterova kickstarted the Russian assault that saw establish a 19-13 lead which they preserved to regain the upper hand.
From there, Amie Provido, Vanie Gandler, Dell Palomata, Brooke Van Sickle, and Eya Laure provided the hits for a good follow-up, making it a tight affair in the fourth after falling to an 8-15 hole.
And they made it a 15-16 scoreboard despite Jia De Guzman’s absence on the floor and Tia Andaya taking charge in orchestrating the offense.
However, it was their last rally as the Russians, who were led by the hard-hitting Nesterova, looked like their firing all over the floor which the Filipina hitters tried but failed to survive.
Prior to its semis setback, the retooled Alas held off an energetic Est Cola (Thailand U21) side in the quarterfinal, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21.
It extended their string of victories over Chinese club Sichuan and Australia after an opening loss to the Vietnamese. Alas Pilipinas put up a gallant fight but eventually lost steam and yielded to reigning champion Korabelka of Russia, 16-25, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, in the semifinal of the 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam Friday evening, July 4.
