Alas Pilipinas fought valiantly but Team Kazakhstan was simply too powerful and more experienced than the hastily-organized Philippine women’s volleyball team.
Alas Pilipinas bowed to Kazakhstan in straight sets, 23-25, 21-25, 14-25.
But give credit to the women’s team led by captain and primary setter Jia Morado-de Guzman and head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who kept together this mix of collegiate and veteran players who went unbeaten as they tipped their group.
For sure, a few if there were any who expected Alas Pilipinas to get past the group stage, where they faced much taller teams from Australia, Iran, India and Chinese Taipei.
The Philippine team only dropped two sets as it barged into the semifinals of 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for the first time.
The loss Tuesday night isn’t the end of the road for Alas Pilipinas’ magical run. It could still salvage bronze and a podium finish when it faces Australia, loser of the other semifinals match against Vietnam.
The Philippines will face off with Australia at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum while Kazakhstan will try to dethrone defending champion Vietnam in the last game of the tournament.
