By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alas Pilipinas hopes to cap its historic run in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup with a podium finish as the Nationals battle the Australians on Wednesday, May 29, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Filipinas were relegated to the battle for third match against Australia at 4 p.m. after losing to the taller Kazakhstan side 25-23, 25-21, 25-14.
Despite the loss, Alas is already assured of its best ever finish in the prestigious event. No other PH team before has reached this far.
While they fell short of their ultimate goal of reaching the Finals in front of the anticipating and growing volleyball fans, playmaker captain Jia Morado remained proud and upbeat that the newly-assembled squad will finish strong, just like how they started.
“Sobrang proud ko talaga sa team. Wala akong ibang words for it kasi ramdam ko na lumalaban kahit dehado kami, kahit naghahabol kami, kahit mabilis kaming napupuntusan ng Kazakhstan. Feel ko pa rin na gustong-gusto lumaban ng bawat isa sa amin whether inside the court or sa bench namin. Against Australia, kailangang mas higitan pa namin,” Morado said.
Alas Pilipinas opened its preliminary campaign in Pool A with a four-set victory against Australia, something that they look to replicate to end the weeklong tournament.
Whatever happens, though, it will go down as the Philippines’ best finish in an AVC-sanctioned tournament under the guidance of Jorge de Brito.
Meanwhile, Pool B’s top two sides Vietnam and Kazakhstan will vie for the championship trophy at 7 p.m., with the former installed the heavy favorites in the scenario.
Morado, who was coming off a professional club team success in the Japan V Cup, believes it’s only going to get better for the country’s volleyball program from here on.
“Just keep playing. Just keep playing. Kahit anong mangyari, just keep playing. Manalo, matalo, may matutunan ka sa laro, may matututunan ka sa kalaban mo,” said Morado.
“Kazakhstan was at our level before, they just kept playing. Vietnam was at our level before, they just kept playing. So kami, ‘yun din ‘yung gagawin namin. Inaasahan namin na tuloy-tuloy pa rin ‘yung suporta para makalaro lang kami nang dire-diretso at maka-improve pa kami as a team.”
