Alas Pilipinas dispatched Iran and made it three victories on the spin to punch a ticket to the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup semifinals.
Alas Pilipinas are heading to the semifinals of the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup after orchestrating a straight-set drubbing of Iran, 25-16, 25-13, 25-15, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, May 25.
Riding the crest of its rousing victories over Australia and India, Alas played with vigor and confidence as it rammed through the Iranians en route to a 3-0 winning start in Pool A.
The Philippines is now assured of its best finish in the three-year history of the Challenge Cup, where it placed seventh last year and did not take part during its inaugural edition.
Alas shuffled its deck of aces as Vanie Gandler, Cherry Nunag, and Jen Nierva started over Eya Laure, Thea Gagate, and Dawn Catindig.
The change-up worked wonders for the Filipinas, who sprinted to a 23-16 separation before Sisi Rondina and an Iranian attack error gave them an early buffer.
In the second set, Angel Canino heated up from the service area, unloading momentum-swinging aces that instigated a 19-9 run to turn a 4-all deadlock into a 23-13 lead.
Julia Coronel then delivered a timely dump before setting up a set-clinching Rondina hit in the ensuing sequence.
Come the decisive third frame, Iran let open the floodgates as the Philippines went on a 20-10 cruise, capped by a Gandler attack from the back row.
After a trade of blows, Nunag pushed Alas ahead, 23-15, before Jia De Guzman set up consecutive plays for Faith Nisperos, who nailed the finishing touches.
Canino emerged as the leading scorer of the Philippines with 16 points built on 11 attacks, three aces, and a pair of blocks.
Rondina made her presence felt as well with 12 points, all of which coming from attacks, while Gandler pitched in nine markers on eight spikes and an ace.
Fifi Sharma contributed six points, while De Guzman, Nunag, and Nisperos supplemented five, four, and two markers, respectively.
On the other hand, Iran dropped to a 1-2 standing in Pool A.
Aytak Salamat was the lone double-digit scorer for the losing side with 10 points, while Elaheh Poorsaleh only managed seven markers.
Philippines aim to complete a group phase sweep when it takes on Chinese Taipei on Sunday at 7:00 p.m., while Iran tries to bounce back when it faces Australia on the same day at 4:00 p.m.