HIGHLIGHTS: Alas Pilipinas vs Australia, 2024 AVC Challenge Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Star-studded Alas Pilipinas rolled to a good first impression to kick off its 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup campaign after dispatching Australia, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21 at the packed Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, May 23.

Young guns Angel Canino and Eya Laure led the charge with 17 points each, while Sisi Rondina added 16 for the Philippines.

AVC | WATCH:

Angel Canino admits she felt goosebumps as Rizal Memorial Coliseum was filled with almost 5,000 spectators on Thursday. #AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/GMRTKWqUXW
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

AVC | WATCH:

PUTTING THE BEST FOOT FORWARD.

Alas Pilipinas team captain Jia de Guzman is proud of the gallant stand her the Philippines put up in a four-set win against Australia. #AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/afTp8HRuaE
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

AVC | STATS:

Eya Laure and Angel Canino lead the way with 17 points apiece in Alas Pilipinas’ first win in the #AVCChallengeCup!

Sisi Rondina added 16 huge markers as well. pic.twitter.com/U5eywQsODP
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

JUST IN. Star-studded Alas Pilipinas rolls to a good first impression, dispatching Australia 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21, to kick off its 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup campaign! #AVCChallengeCup https://t.co/jA6VJlK2aM pic.twitter.com/1sKE0oNBuN
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

AVC | WATCH:

🍒💣

Sisi Rondina with the game-winner for the Philippines!#AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/SzYlDVIMr8
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

FOURTH SET

FINAL: Alas Pilipinas dispatches Australia, 3-1, after taking the fourth set, 25-21!
ALAS PILIPINAS 25-21: Sisi Rondina cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 24-21: Mikaela Stevens ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 24-20: Fifi Sharma service error, long
ALAS PILIPINAS 24-19: Fifi Sharma quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 23-19: Kara Inskip blocks Sisi Rondina
ALAS PILPINAS 23-18: Fifi Sharma quick
ALAS PILIPINAS 22-18: Eya Laure cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-18: Sisi Rondina attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-17: Angel Canino service error, net
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-16: Angel Canino ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 20-15: Eya Laure down the line
ALAS PILIPINAS 19-15: Australia service error
ALAS PILIPINAS 18-15: Caitlin Tipping down the line
ALAS PILIPINAS 18-14: Angel Canino through the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-13: Eya Laure attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-12: Angel Canino attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-11: Kara Inskip hit off the floating ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-10: Emma Burton down the line
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-9: Angel Canino through the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 16-9: Caitlin Tipping blocks Angel Canino
ALAS PILIPINAS 16-8: Emma Burton off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 16-7: Jia de Guzman ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 15-7: Cameron Zajer attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 14-7: Thea Gagate quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 13-7: Caitlin Tipping through the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 13-6: Thea Gagate hit off the floating ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 12-6: Australia attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 11-6: Angel Canino cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 10-6: Ella Schabort off-speed
ALAS PILIPINAS 10-5: Eya Laure ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 9-5: Australia service error, in/out challenge unsuccessful
ALAS PILIPINAS 8-5: Angel Canino attack error, not over
ALAS PILIPINAS 8-4: Eya Laure drop ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-4: Cameron Zajer cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-3: Eya Laure down the line
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-3: Thea Gagate-Jia de Guzman miscommunication
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-2: Cameron Zajer attack error, not over
ALAS PILIPINAS 5-2: Ella Schabort service error, net
ALAS PILIPINAS 4-2: Ella Schabort ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 4-1: Cameron Zajer cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 4-0: Sisi Rondina off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 3-0: Australia attack error
ALAS PILIPINAS 2-0: Australia attack error
ALAS PILIPINAS 1-0: Cameron Zajer attack error, long

THIRD SET

AVC | END OF SET 3: Alas Pilipinas zooms ahead against the Volleyroos after dumping them, 25-15, and are one set away from the win!#AVCChallengeCup LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/jA6VJlK2aM pic.twitter.com/smVr5rtvnR
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

END OF SET 3: On-fire Alas Pilipinas wrecks Australia for the 2-1 lead, 25-16
ALAS PILIPINAS 25-16: Angel Canino down the line
ALAS PILIPINAS 24-16: Cassie Dodd blocks Angel Canino
ALAS PILIPINAS 24-15: Australia block point
ALAS PILIPINAS 24-14: Jia de Guzman ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 23-14: Angel Canino ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 22-14: Jia de Guzman ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-14: Angel Canino cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 20-14: Ella Schabort cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 20-13: Sisi Rondina cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 19-13: Cameron Zajer cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 19-12: Angel Canino through the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 18-12: Kasey Hogan cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 18-11: Angel Canino down the line
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-11: Cameron Zajer blocks Eya Laure
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-10: Kasey Hogan attack error, not over
ALAS PILIPINAS 16-10: Eya Laure cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 15-10: Eya Laure block point. Philippines 4-1 run.
ALAS PILIPINAS 14-10: Angel Canino cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 13-10: Cassie Dodd quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 13-9: Eya Laure through the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 12-9: Thea Gagate blocks Cassie Dodd
ALAS PILIPINAS 11-9: Emma Burton scores off chance ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 11-8: Ella Schabort off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 11-7: Sisi Rondina cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 10-7: Angel Canino cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 9-7: Thea Gagate blocks Ella Schabort
ALAS PILIPINAS 8-7: Sisi Rondina hit off the floating ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-7: Emma Burton cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-6: Fifi Sharma attack error, long, in/out challenge unsuccessful
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-5: Fifi Sharma, quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-5: Eya Laure service error, net
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-4: Eya Laure ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 5-4: Jia de Guzman 1-2 play
ALAS PILIPINAS 4-4: Eya Laure attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 4-3: Eya Laure off-speed
ALAS PILIPINAS 3-3: Cassie Dodd quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 3-2: Thea Gagate quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 2-2: Sisi Rondina attack error, not over
ALAS PILIPINAS 2-1: Angel Canino cross
AUSTRALIA 1-1: Mikaela Stevens service error, net
AUSTRALIA 1-0: Angel Canino attack error, wide

SECOND SET

AVC | END OF SET 2: Alas Pilipinas claps back in a massive way, nails Australia, 25-19! Game now tied at 1 set apiece.#AVCChallengeCup LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/jA6VJlK2aM pic.twitter.com/m2gLpYoRto
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

END OF SET 2: Alas Pilipinas bounces back from an error-ridden first set and blasts Australia, 25-19
ALAS PILIPINAS 25-19: Thea Gagate high-arcing quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 24-19: Cassie Dodd quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 24-18: Sisi Rondina bombing combi play
ALAS PILIPINAS 23-18: Cassie Dodd quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 23-17: Australia service error, long
ALAS PILIPINAS 22-17: Eya Laure service error, net
ALAS PILIPINAS 22-16: Eya Laure cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-16: Caitlin Tipping blocks Jia de Guzman
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-15: Sisi Rondina backrow hit
ALAS PILIPINAS 20-15: Alexia Zammit service error, long
ALAS PILIPINAS 19-15: Emma Burton cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 19-14: Fifi Sharma blocks Caitlin Tipping
ALAS PILIPINAS 18-14: Vanie Gandler ace. Philippines 4-0 run.
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-14: Emma Burton attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 16-14: Eya Laure hit off the floating ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 15-14: Vanie Gandler subs in
ALAS PILIPINAS 15-14: Thea Gagate quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 14-14: Caitlin Tipping off-speed
ALAS PILIPINAS 14-13: Eya Laure backrow hit
ALAS PILIPINAS 13-13: Emma Burton through the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 13-12: Emma Burton hit off the floating ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 13-11: Emma Burton off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 13-10: Thea Gagate blocks Caitlin Tipping
ALAS PILIPINAS 12-10: Angel Canino block point
ALAS PILIPINAS 11-10: Sisi Rondina cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 10-10: Angel Canino attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 10-9: Caitlin Whincup off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 10-8: Emma Burton attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 9-8: Fifi Sharma quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 8-8: Sisi Rondina attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 8-7: Fifi Sharma quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-7: Mikaela Stevens blocks Eya Laure
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-6: Kara Inskip running attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-5: Emma Burton service error, net
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-5: Kara Inskip hit off the floating ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-4: Kara Inskip quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-3: Angel Canino hit off the floating ball
ALAS PILIPINAS 5-3: Thea Gagate ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 4-3: Eya Laure off-speed
ALAS PILIPINAS 3-3: Kara Inskip blocks Eya Laure
ALAS PILIPINAS 3-2: Caitlin Tipping through the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 3-1: Sisi Rondina ace
ALAS PILIPINAS 2-1: Sisi Rondina off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 1-1: Jia de Guzman service error, long
ALAS PILIPINAS 1-0: Angel Canino backrow hit

FIRST SET

AVC | END OF SET 1:

Angel Canino service out! Australia takes the opener, 25-22!#AVCChallengeCup LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/jA6VJlK2aM pic.twitter.com/PbIITpE5Xl
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

END OF SET 1: Jittery Alas Pilipinas gives up 10 errors as Australia hammers a 7-1 finish, 25-22
AUSTRALIA 25-22: Angel Canino service error, long
AUSTRALIA 24-22: Eya Laure cross
AUSTRALIA 24-21: Eya Laure attack error, wide. Australia 6-0 run.
AUSTRALIA 23-21: Caitlin Tipping blocks Eya Laure. Australia 5-0 run.
AUSTRALIA 22-21: Angel Canino attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-21: Jia de Guzman overreach. Australia 3-0 run.
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-20: Emma Burton off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-19: Thea Gagate service error, net
ALAS PILIPINAS 21-18: Angel Canino off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 20-18: Caitlin Whincup service error, long
ALAS PILIPINAS 19-18: Caitlin Tipping combi play
ALAS PILIPINAS 19-17: Sisi Rondina down the line
ALAS PILIPINAS 18-17: Caitlin Whincup cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 18-16: Kara Inskip service error, net
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-16: Sisi Rondina attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-15: Kara Inskip running attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 17-14: Sisi Rondina off the block. Philippines 5-0 run.
ALAS PILIPINAS 16-14: Australia attack error, wide
ALAS PILIPINAS 15-14: Thea Gagate blocks Caitlin Whincup
AUSTRALIA 14-14: Sisi Rondina off the block
AUSTRALIA 14-13: Kara Inskip net touch
AUSTRALIA 14-12: Eya Laure service error, long
AUSTRALIA 13-12: Kara Inskip service error, long
AUSTRALIA 13-11: Kara Inskip blocks Fifi Sharma
AUSTRALIA 12-11: Angel Canino service error, net
AUSTRALIA 11-11: Angel Canino cross
AUSTRALIA 11-10: Emma Burton off the block
AUSTRALIA 10-10: Eya Laure cross
AUSTRALIA 10-9: Cassie Dodd blocks Sisi Rondina
ALAS PILIPINAS 9-9: Caitlin Tipping backrow hit
ALAS PILIPINAS 9-8: Sisi Rondina down the line
ALAS PILIPINAS 8-8: Mikaela Stevens 1-2 play
ALAS PILIPINAS 8-7: Jia de Guzman joust win
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-7: Mikaela Stevens 1-2 play
ALAS PILIPINAS 7-6: Fifi Sharma quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-6: Mikaela Stevens blocks Sisi Rondina
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-5: Kara Inskip block point
ALAS PILIPINAS 6-4: Jia de Guzman 1-2 play
ALAS PILIPINAS 5-4: Kara Inskip cross
ALAS PILIPINAS 5-3: Eya Laure off the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 4-3: Eya Laure attack error, long
ALAS PILIPINAS 4-2: Thea Gagate quick attack
ALAS PILIPINAS 3-2: Emma Burton through the block
ALAS PILIPINAS 3-1: Sisi Rondina backrow hit
ALAS PILIPINAS 2-1: Mikaela Stevens service error, long
ALAS PILIPINAS 1-1: Jia de Guzman service error, long
ALAS PILIPINAS 1-0: Cassie Dodd attack error

AUSTRALIA STARTERS: Mikaela Stevens, Caitlin Tipping, Emma Burton, Cassie Dodd, Caitlin Whincup, Kara Inskip, Allysha Sims (L)

ALAS PILIPINAS STARTERS: Jia de Guzman, Fifi Sharma, Eya Laure, Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, Sisi Rondina, Dawn Macandili-Catindig (L)

Pregame

AVC | LOOK:

Alas Pilipinas locked in an hour before the game 🇵🇭#AVCChallengeCup

📷: PNVF pic.twitter.com/bk7ZSo4o9t
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

AVC | WATCH:

Members of Alas Pilipinas have arrived here at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum!

Game time is at 7pm. #AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/yMqirVNYNq
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

AVC | WATCH:

👋, Angel!

The La Salle star waves to journalists as the bus backs up before Alas Pilipinas members stepped out. #AVCChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/WD9PPwxxst
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 23, 2024

Preview

MANILA, Philippines – Although under a new name, the newly christened Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team is set to go through the same baptismal by fire as its 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup journey kicks off against Australia on Thursday, May 23, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The lowest-ranked team in the five-country Pool A, Alas is out to prove it is better than its record with a new, star-studded core featuring a healthy mix of veterans and MVP-caliber young guns.

Led by captain Jia de Guzman, PVL MVP Sisi Rondina, and multi-awarded libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, the Philippines is also set to parade an exciting lineup of prospects like UAAP MVP Angel Canino, star spiker Eya Laure, and former La Salle blocker teammates Thea Gagate and Fifi Sharma.

The star power is there, but the chemistry is not quite so, as the team was formed mere days before the week-long tournament due to other club and school team commitments.

Can Alas ace its first assignment to set the tone or will Australia quickly send the Philippines down under the standings?

First serve is around 7 pm, depending on the finish of the other matches. – Rappler.com