Alas Pilipinas concluded their gallant campaign in the 22nd Princess Cup Women's U18 SEA Volleyball Championship after defeating Australia for a bronze finish.
Alas Pilipinas U18 captured a breakthrough bronze in the 22nd Princess Cup Women's U18 SEA Volleyball Championship after reasserting their mastery over Australia, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20, in the battle for third at the Nakhon Pathom Gym in Thailand on Thursday, June 13.
Reeling from a straight-set loss to Indonesia that dashed its title hopes a day ago, the Philippines orchestrated a straight-set rebound to secure its first-ever podium finish in the regional tournament.
The Filipinas, who had defeated the Australians in the preliminary round last Tuesday, seized control right from the get go and mounted a commanding lead in the opening salvo for an early buffer.
Come the second set, Australia played with a great sense of urgency, trailing the Philippines close behind, 21-22.
However, Alas leaned on team captain Harlyn Serneche, Denesse Daylisan, and Ashley Macalinao to steady the ship en route to a 2-0 set advantage.
It was still a back-and-forth struggle in the third frame, where the Australians even took a 19-18 lead courtesy of Matisse Conlon’s backrow attack.
However, a string of errors from Australia tipped the scales back to the Philippines before Avril Bron and Maile Salang blocked Conlon for a 23-20 edge.
Kimberly Rubin then came through in the final sequences, nailing two clutch consecutives hits to seal the podium finish.
Alas Pilipinas now set their sights on the 15th Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship to be held from June 16 to 23 at the same venue.