AVC: Alas Pilipinas fades in Set 3 as South Korea continues unbeaten run

Alas Pilipinas failed to sustain its momentum late in the third set to absorb a 25-16, 25-18, 25-22 loss against undefeated South Korea in the 2026 AVC Women's Volleyball Cup on Tuesday in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

Veteran outside spiker Alyssa Valdez unleashed two straight aces to send the Philippines to an 18-15 lead while young opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon turned that into 19-16 after a swipe from the right side.

But the world no. 39 Koreans spoiled the host's rally and unloaded a pivotal 8-1 rampage fueled by four points from the 28-year-old Sohwi Kang, whose down-the-line hit steered her side to the match point, 24-20.

Alas managed to come up with two straight points from an Ara Galang attack and a Niña Ytang block, but Juah Lee completed a decisive running kill off a perfect toss from Dain Kim as Korea completed the sweep victory.

The middle tandem of Thea Gagate and Ytang led the scoring with nine and eight points apiece while both Valdez and Solomon finished with seven markers as Alas slipped to a 2-2 card. The Koreans improved to 3-0, tying Chinese Taipei at the top of Pool A.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News