Alas women yield to Taiwanese to end AVC Volleyball Cup campaign

Alyssa Valdez (left) and the Nationals ended pool play with two wins and three defeats.

STAR / Russell Palma

Games Friday

(Candon City Arena)

9 a.m. – Vietnam vs Kazakhstan

12 p.m. – Iran vs Hong Kong

3 p.m. – Uzbekistan vs Australia

6 p.m. – Indonesia vs Lebanon

9 p.m. – Chinese Taipei vs South Korea

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — There are no shortcuts to success.

Alas Pilipinas knew it even before it landed in this city up north and two weeks after it was retooled.

So it was no surprise that the Filipinas fell short in their semifinal bid after they were eliminated by the more battle-tested Taiwanese, 25-16, 25-14, 25-10, in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup at the Candon City Arena here Thursday.

“We were checked, maybe because we only have two weeks of preparation and they’re also a more veteran team,” said Alas captain Alyssa Valdez, whose side ended pool play with two wins and three defeats.

“We’re also veterans but we would need more quality time together,” she added.

Valdez, however, is optimistic of the team's future, especially for the younger players of the team.

“These young players will accomplish many things,” she said.

The team fought despite so many barriers that came in its way.

From intramurals in Philippine volleyball and player withdrawals by most of the team’s former members to losing their head coach Tai Bundit — who suffered an ankle injury due to a motorcycle accident back home in Bangkok — the Nationals endured it all.

“We fought and learned a lot,” said Alas’ interim coach Shaq delos Santos.

The team, including some who are part of the 20-player pool, or at least its core, should be retained in preparation for bigger battles ahead — this September’s Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia and the FIVB World Championship in 2029.

Earlier, Kazakhstan and Vietnam each claimed a semis spot after hurdling their respective foes.

The Kazakhs walloped the Lebanese, 25-11, 25-19, 25-14, while the Vietnamese, the reigning champions, turned back the Iranians, 25-19, 25-20, 27-25.

Both unbeaten in four outings in Pool B, Kazakhstan and Vietnam face off Friday for the top seeding in their bracket.