Alas Women break through in VTV Cup with four-set win vs. Chinese team

Alas Pilipinas Women finally broke through in the 2025 VTV Cup, recovering from a third set hiccup to complete a 25-12, 25-22, 19-25, 25-15 win against Sichuan Wuliangchun of China on Monday night in Vietnam. 

The Filipinas bounced back from a straight-sets loss to powerhouse Vietnam yesterday to improve to 1-1 in Pool A. 

The towering duo of MJ Philiips and Dell Palomata took over in their fourth set breakaway with the former leading a 3-0 run that turned a slim 13-11 lead to a huge 16-11 separation for the Filipinas. 

Phillips, a two-time PVL Best Middle Blocker, then unleashed another pair of quick attacks before her Petro Gazz teammate Brooke Van Sickle released a strong kill from the back row to make it a 22-13 cushion. 

Sichuan Wuliangchun would still convert two consecutive points, but Vani Gandler completed a combination play to send Alas to the match point at 24-15. 

Gandler and Palomata then conspired to deny the last attack attempt of Sichuan Wuliangchun to seal the victory. 

Alas will take on Australia later in bid to book its second win. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News