CANDON, Ilocos Sur — Alas Pilipinas will need to dig deep and deliver its best performance as it fights to keep its semifinal hopes alive in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup.
The Philippine women’s volleyball team faces a crucial test against Taiwan on Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Candon City Arena, with a victory essential to remain in contention for a podium finish.
Alas Pilipinas opened its campaign in dominant fashion with a statement straight-sets win over Uzbekistan but stumbled in a heartbreaking five-set loss to Australia. The Filipinas rebounded with a quick victory against Kyrgyzstan, but a straight-sets defeat to South Korea left them with a 2-2 win-loss record. Despite the setback, history offers some encouragement. Australia had not defeated the Philippines in the 2024 and 2025 AVC editions, where the team was bannered by Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino.
Now led by veteran skipper Alyssa Valdez, the current Alas squad remains focused on representing the country amid ongoing issues surrounding the Philippine National Volleyball Federation. Valdez and her teammates emphasized their commitment to national duty, choosing to rise above distractions off the court.
With limited preparation time heading into the tournament, the team is aiming to match or surpass its previous AVC finishes — bronze in 2024 and silver in 2025.
Interim head coach Shaq Delos Santos remains confident in his squad’s capabilities.
“The team is always ready. We just need to recover and prepare better for the upcoming games,” he said, adding that the focus remains on execution rather than pressure.
For Alas to advance to the medal round, it must first defeat Taiwan and hope that South Korea also prevails over the Taiwanese side. The matchup carries added intensity, as Taiwan seeks redemption after the Philippines edged them in a five-set thriller during the 2025 AVC Cup semifinals.
Valdez stressed that the team is still a work in progress.
“We still need to improve beyond just having a fighting spirit. Adjusting every game isn’t easy, but if we stay focused, we can perform better. Honestly, we still have a lot to work on,” she said.
Alas Pilipinas will lean on its rising stars, including Alyssa Solomon, who erupted for 23 points against Australia, along with the net defense of Thea Gagate and the offensive firepower of Nina Ytang.
Meanwhile, Patrick Gregorio of the Philippine Sports Commission reiterated the importance of unity and long-term development in Philippine volleyball, especially with the country set to host the FIVB World Championship in 2029.
“We need to focus on the program and support our athletes. It’s not about personalities,” Gregorio said, expressing confidence that governing bodies will resolve ongoing federation concerns.
