Alas Pilipinas look to use the valuable lessons learned from their semis defeat TO Kazakhstan in their bronze medal match against Australia in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
It wasn’t the performance that Alas Pilipinas had hoped for when they went up against Kazakhstan in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup semifinals.
After their remarkable 4-0 start to the tournament, Alas Pilipinas faced a harsh reality, as they were handed a straight-set defeat by the Kazakhs.
But young star Angel Canino couldn’t be any prouder of their team for fighting through adversity to challenge the 30th-ranked Kazakhstan, especially given their short preparations for the tournament.
“Siyempre, I'm very proud of the team kasi despite na very down kami, nakakabangon kami. 'Yun lang, na-short nga lang kami but we're very proud despite sa ilang araw lang kami nag-preparation,” Canino told One Sports after the match.
“I'm happy na ganun 'yung nilabas namin but we all know na may puwede pa kaming ilabas, so kung anoman 'yung kulang namin ngayon, hopefully malabas namin bukas,” she added.
Down by 10 in the first set 12-22, Arah Panique brought life back to Alas and pushed them within striking distance. Angel Canino delivered back to back points, but Kazakhstan eventually got the first frame, 25-23.
It also goes without saying that the Filipinas took home several lessons from their stinging defeat as they still vie for a podium finish in the tournament.
For one, de Guzman pointed out that Kazakhstan and Vietnam were once at the same competitive level as the Philippines. But through persistent effort and consistent play, these nations have significantly improved and risen in the ranks.
“Kahit anong mangyari, just keep playing kasi manalo, matalo may matutunan sa kalaban mo. Kazakhstan was on our level before, they just kept playing. Vietnam was on our level before, they just kept playing. So kami, ‘yun din ‘yung level namin. So inaasahan namin na tuloy-tuloy pa rin suporta para makalaro lang kami ng dire-diretso at maka-improve pa kami as a team,” said de Guzman.
[ALSO READ: AVC: Jia de Guzman proud of fight shown by Alas Pilipinas despite semis loss to Kazakhstan]
Canino, on the other hand, stressed the importance of controlling emotions during crucial matches.
“I think we have to control the emotions inside the court kasi it's really us playing eh. So kapag nasa loob ng court, kami na lang talaga mag-iintindihan, sarili mo at ang teammates mo. So we really have to control everything inside the court . Kasi if not, sobrang kalat,” said Canino.
With these lessons in mind, Alas Pilipinas will look to bounce back and end their 2024 AVC Challenge Cup campaign with a bronze medal when they face Australia later at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila at 4:00 p.m.
[ALSO READ: AVC: Key stats to know ahead of Alas Pilipinas’ bronze medal match against Australia]
The match will be aired live on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.