By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas hopes to improve on its third-place finish the last time when the 5th SEA Women’s V.League Leg 2 gets going on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Ninh Bình Gymnasium in Vietnam.
But that can only happen if the Nationals hurdle their first test against the host nation in their 7 p.m. contest.
Coming off a four-day break after the opening leg of the event held in Nakon Ratchasima, Thailand, the Nationals need to play with lots of passion and fire to avoid the misfortunes that befell them in their matches against the Vietnamese and eventual champion Thailand.
In the first leg, Alas finished with a 1-2 card – they claimed the bronze after beating Indonesia.
Regional powerhouse Thailand raises the curtain when it squares off with Indonesia at 4 p.m.
Another motivation for Gilas is its desire to end the PH team’s losing streak to the host squad, which it last defeated in the 2019 edition of the regional tiff.
But since then, Vietnam has showed tremendous improvements, beating PH team regularly – the latest was a 25-13, 25-21, 23-25, 25-9 win in Leg 1.
Angel Canino, who was named one of the Best Outside Hitters in the first leg, is expected to lead the Nationals anew with veterans Jia De Guzman, Dawn Catindig, Maddie Madayag, Dell Palomata, Vanie Gandler, and Eya Laure.
Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, Justine Nazareno, and Mars Alba, as well as collegiate stars Shai Nitura and Cla Loresco need to contribute if they are to pull off a surprise win.
Vietnam, meanwhile, banks on seasoned spiker Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who has been a thorn in the PH side in various international competitions, along with Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen.
