Alas Pilipinas squads raise flag high with breakthrough wins

Alas Pilipinas painted the volleyball world in Philippine colors on Saturday, with the girls’ national team making history with a breakthrough victory in the FIVB Girls U17 World Championship and the senior women’s squad finally ending a seven-year losing streak to Vietnam in the SEA V League.

The day began as early as 5 a.m. for the Philippine volleyball community, with the Alas girls proving they belong on the world stage in San Felipe, Chile.

Article continues after this advertisement

For Filipino fans, waking up early on a rainy weekend was worth it.

Caera Celis, a St. John’s Institute standout from Bacolod, dazzled with 24 points to lead Alas Girls to a historic 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23 victory over Mexico.

In between the volleyball matches, Alex Eala continued her milestone run in tennis, advancing to the round of 16 of the Canadian Open in Toronto after shrugging off a right ankle injury to defeat American Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

And then Eya Laure had her moment for Alas Pilipinas Women.

Article continues after this advertisement

Laure dropped 22 points as the Philippines stunned reigning Leg 2 champion Vietnam, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, at the Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.

Laure, the former University of Santo Tomas star, delivered the match-winning kill against Tran Thi Thanh Thuy to complete the upset and give the Philippines a 1-1 record, with a chance to return to the podium against Indonesia on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Alas Women are seeking to bounce back from a winless Leg 1 in Hanoi, where Indonesia snapped their run of four straight bronze-medal finishes.

Article continues after this advertisement

Leg 1 Best Opposite Spiker Alyssa Solomon had 17 points, while Bella Belen chipped in 16, including three blocks.

Thea Gagate also anchored the net with six blocks among her 10 points, while Dell Palomata added nine points, including four blocks, as the Philippines finished with 15 kill blocks. Jia De Guzman orchestrated the offense for Japanese coach Taka Minowa.

The Alas girls, meanwhile, gun for a second straight victory when they face winless Tunisia on Sunday at 5 a.m. Manila time.

Xyz Rayco, who helped the team qualify for the World Championship with a fifth-place finish in last year’s AVC U16 Volleyball Championship in Amman, Jordan, was also instrumental in the historic victory, scoring 15 points on 12 kills, two aces and a block.

Madele Gale dominated the frontline with five blocks to finish with 10 points, while Jhaynna Bulandres also scored 10, highlighted by three aces. Sharina Rhyza Lleses added seven points, while Nadeth Herbon provided steady defense.

“It was a tense ride, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I needed to do,” Herbon said. “I’m happy because I think I did what was needed on the court. I’m happy my teammates are pleased with the result. I’ll embrace this role all the way to the end.”

With their first victory, the debuting national youth team already matched the feat of Alas Pilipinas Men in last year’s FIVB Men’s World Championship in Manila by winning a match on the world stage.

But the girls can still go further and advance to the next round, with the top four teams from their group moving on. Defending champion and world No. 1 China leads Pool B with a 2-0 record, while the Philippines, Mexico, Venezuela and Peru are all at 1-1.

The celebrations extended beyond the court.

Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons received the Fans’ Choice for Beach Volleyball Award during the AVC Gala Night, while Bryan Bagunas earned the Fans’ Choice Men’s Volleyball Award following a banner 2025 season for Alas Pilipinas and his first Japan SV.League title with the Osaka Bluteon. INQ