Alas Pilipinas, despite facing monumental deficits, showcased unwavering determination, captivating the hearts of their fervent fans.
However, their valiant efforts fell short as Kazakhstan emerged victorious, 23-25, 21-25, 14-25, securing a spot in the gold medal match of the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women on Tuesday at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Arah Panique, a late replacement taking the place of Casiey Dongallo, emerged as a surprise standout for Alas Pilipinas.
Panique's remarkable performance off the bench, amassing 14 crucial points through a combination of powerful attacks, solid blocks, and precise serves, injected renewed vigor into her team's fight.
Yet, the towering presence of the Kazakh players proved too formidable to overcome.
Despite the setback, Alas head coach Jorge Souza De Brito commended his team's resilience, highlighting their refusal to concede defeat at any point in the game.
“We were prepared to play against them. They have a tough block, they pressured on the first two sets. But they came fast in the beginning,” said De Brito.
Expressing optimism for the team's future, De Brito emphasized their potential for growth and improvement.
“What I liked about our team, they never give up in any moment. Also, we played most of the time in the same level with them. These guys are on their way to be much better than this one. It's a promise that they did to themselves,” continued the Brazilian coach, who the PNVF wants to retain after this tournament.
With their sights set on a historic bronze medal, Alas Pilipinas prepares to face Australia in a highly anticipated matchup.
Having previously defeated Australia in the pool stage, the Filipino squad aims to secure their country's maiden podium finish in an Asian-level tournament.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan advances to the gold medal match, where they will square off against defending champions Vietnam.
Kazakhstan's commanding performance, spearheaded by captain Sana Anarkulova's 19 points and supported by key contributors like Svetlana Nikolayeva and Kristina Anikonova, propelled them to the brink of championship glory.
