.jpg)
Alas Pilipinas' inspiring run in the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup ended in heartbreak, as the Philippine national team was swept by a composed and towering Vietnam squad, 15-25, 17-25, 14-25, in the gold medal match on Saturday night at the Doang Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi.
Despite the tough loss, the Filipinas made history with a silver-medal finish—their highest placement in an AVC tournament in 64 years, surpassing last year’s bronze. It also marked the country's first silver medal in an international volleyball event since the 1997 Southeast Asian Games.
But Vietnam, unbeaten in the tournament, proved to be a cut above.
The home team dominated from the opening whistle, riding the explosive tandem of Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen and Tran Thi Thanh Thuy to an emphatic straight-sets win. The two combined for 16 points in the first frame alone, setting the tone for what became a one-sided affair.
Bich Tuyen was unstoppable throughout the match, dropping a game-high 20 points on 16 attacks, two aces, and two blocks. Thanh Thuy followed with 17 markers, adding three blocks and an ace, while contributing on defense with seven digs and five excellent receptions.
Vietnam’s machine-like execution overwhelmed the Filipinas, who were coming off a grueling five-set semifinal victory over Chinese Taipei. The Vietnamese also clinched their third straight Nations Cup title with the sweep and earned a ticket to the 2026 Asian Championship.
Philippine head coach Jorge Souza de Brito tried to find a spark by inserting Angel Canino, Shaina Nitura, and Vanie Gandler into the rotation, but Alas couldn’t recover as Vietnam wrapped up the final in just one hour and four minutes.
No Filipina reached double figures, with Alyssa Solomon leading the squad with eight points. Nitura chipped in six—all coming in the third set—while Canino and Fifi Sharma added four each. Eya Laure, who played hero in the semifinal win, was limited to just three markers. Bella Belen, another key piece in the tournament run, was held to a single point.
Still, there were silver linings in the form of individual accolades.
Veteran setter Jia De Guzman, young spiker Angel Canino, and middle blocker Dell Palomata were named to the AVC Women’s Nations Cup Dream Team for their stellar efforts in Alas Pilipinas’ breakthrough campaign.
De Guzman, the eight-time PVL Best Setter, clinched her second Best Setter award in the Nations Cup after orchestrating the Philippines’ offense with poise and precision. She ranked third in total excellent sets during pool play, finishing with 24 in five matches.
Canino, last year’s Best Opposite Spiker, proved her versatility by winning Best Outside Spiker this time around. She ranked 12th in total scoring in the tournament with 74 points built on 62 attacks, seven blocks, and five aces—averaging 12.33 points across six games.
Meanwhile, Dell Palomata anchored Alas Pilipinas’ net defense and emerged as one of the Best Middle Blockers in the eight-day tilt. The PLDT stalwart averaged 5.83 points per match, including an impressive 1.83 blocks per outing.
Though the gold medal slipped away, Alas Pilipinas left Hanoi with heads held high—bringing home a historic silver and three individual awards that underline their rapid rise on the international stage.
