Alas Pilipinas falls to Iran, settles for 8th place in AVC Women's Cup

Alas Pilipinas Women fell to Iran in straight sets, 21-25, 12-25, 21-25, to settle for an eighth-place finish in the 2026 AVC Women's Cup on Sunday in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

Alas made a gallant stand in the final frame but ultimately lost to the world no. 45 Iranians, posting its worst finish in the tournament.

In its debut in 2023, the Philippines finished 7th before reaching the podium in 2024 and 2025, securing third and second places, respectively.

Young opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon carried the load for Alas after scoring a team-high 12 points built on 11 attacks and one ace while veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga and fellow youngster Niña Ytang chipped in six and five markers each.

A service error from Tots Carlos left Alas Women staring at a seven-point deficit in the third set, 13-20. But a series of errors and a couple of points from Alyssa Valdez and Ytang allowed the Filipinas to pull within four, 19-23, and threaten a comeback.

Cla Loresco managed to get a touch on Elaheh Poorsaleh Shahdehsari's opposite attack, but the FEU standout's block deflected out of bounds, handing Iran match point at 24-19.

Gonzaga kept the hosts alive with a soft touch from the right side that caught Iran's defense off guard while Kyle Negrito's crafty one-two play was upheld after a successful floor-touch challenge, trimming Alas Pilipinas' deficit to 21-24.

Gonzaga, however, sent her serve wide on the ensuing play, allowing Iran to seal the victory and clinch seventh place.

Elahe led Iran with 17 points while Fatemeh Khalili Chermahini chipped in nine points.

—JKC, GMA News