Alas Pilipinas dominates Australia for back-to-back VTV Cup wins, secures quarterfinals

Alas Pilipinas continued its impressive run at the 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup, sweeping Australia in convincing fashion (25-13, 25-15, 25-20) on Tuesday, July 1st, to clinch their second consecutive victory and secure a spot in the knockout quarterfinals.

The straight-sets triumph over the Australian national team marked a strong finish to their Pool A campaign, with the Filipinas now holding a 2-1 record. This commanding performance comes just a day after Alas Pilipinas bounced back from an opening-day loss to host Vietnam by defeating Chinese club Sichuan in four sets.

From the onset, Alas Pilipinas showcased superior offensive prowess and minimized errors, dictating the tempo of the game. 

Key contributors like MJ Phillips, Leila Cruz, Vanie Gandler, and Alleiah Malaluan spearheaded the attacking charge, collectively accounting for 39 attack points—a significant 14-point advantage over Australia’s output. The Filipinas also capitalized on Australia’s unforced errors, which tallied up to 18.

The dynamic duo of Filipino-Americans Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips once again delivered stellar performances, while the consistent playmaking of team captain Jia De Guzman orchestrated the team’s relentless attacks. 

Despite the absence of seasoned spiker Eya Laure, who missed her second consecutive game due to illness, the team’s depth shone through with players like Leila Cruz and Vanie Gandler stepping up. Rookie Alleiah Malaluan also made crucial contributions, particularly in the third set, helping to widen the lead.

Umabante na sa quarterfinals ng 2025 VTV Cup ang Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team matapos walisin ang Australia.#SportsNow #DWAR1494 #AlasPilipinas #VTVCup pic.twitter.com/5CwgbQc2N0

— Abante Radyo DWAR 1494 (@DWAR1494) July 1, 2025

The victory not only cements Alas Pilipinas’ spot in the quarterfinals but also builds significant momentum heading into the knockout stage. Their lone loss in the pool phase came against powerhouse Vietnam, the reigning AVC Nations Cup champions, in a rematch of their recent continental final.

Alas Pilipinas will now take a day off on Wednesday, July 2nd, as they await the final standings to determine their quarterfinal opponent. Current projections indicate a collision course with Thailand’s U-21 squad, Est Cola, in a highly anticipated matchup scheduled for Thursday, July 3rd.

The VTV Cup serves as a crucial platform for Alas Pilipinas to further build chemistry and cohesion, especially with the integration of new talents. The back-to-back wins underscore the team’s resilience and growing maturity on the international stage, setting a promising tone for their aspirations in the tournament.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.