Alas Pilipinas stumbles against familiar foe Vietnam in VTV Cup start

Alas Pilipinas, the Philippine national women’s volleyball team, started their 2025 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup campaign with a straight-set loss to host Vietnam, 20-25, 21-25, 21-25. 

The defeat marks another encounter where the Vietnamese proved to be a formidable opponent for the Filipinas, just two weeks after they met in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup Finals.

Despite the loss, the new-look Alas Pilipinas squad showcased promising performances, particularly from their debutantes. Reigning PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle led the charge with her powerful attacks, while MJ Phillips provided a steady presence at the net. Leila Cruz also delivered a strong debut, contributing significantly to the team’s offense.

The match, held in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, saw Alas Pilipinas keep pace with the hosts for significant portions of each set. In the first set, the Filipinas even held an 18-16 lead before Vietnam unleashed a decisive 9-2 run to take the opener. 

The second set saw Vietnam pull away early, but Alas Pilipinas, fueled by Van Sickle’s efforts, managed to cut the deficit to just two points, 21-19, before Vietnam closed it out. The third set remained tight until the 15-all mark, but Vietnam once again found their rhythm, creating a crucial lead they maintained until the end.

SIMULA PA LANG NG LABAN, ALAS

The Alas Pilipinas Women faced a tough challenge as powerhouse Vietnam handed them a straight-set loss in their opening match at the 2025 VTV Cup in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.#AlasPilipinas #VTVCup pic.twitter.com/B3Q5c2Jvau

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) June 29, 2025

This VTV Cup outing sees a revamped Alas Pilipinas roster under head coach Jorge de Brito. While key returnees like team captain Jia de Guzman, Eya Laure, and Dell Palomata provided stability, several core members from the AVC Nations Cup silver-medal squad, including Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Angel Canino, were rested for this tournament. 

The absence of these stalwarts provides an opportunity for new players, such as Filipino-Americans MJ Phillips and Tia Andaya, to integrate and gain international experience.

Alas Pilipinas will look to bounce back in their next assignments in Pool A, which also includes Sichuan Wuliangchun of China and Australia. Their next match is scheduled for Monday, June 30, against Sichuan Wuliangchun. 

The team aims to build on their recent silver-medal finish and continue their ascent in regional volleyball, with an eye towards the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

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