ALAS Pilipinas made big strides in the FIVB women’s volleyball world rankings after an amazing run in its home campaign in the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women.
READ: Alas Pilipinas whips Chinese-Taipei, faces Kazakhstan in semis
Prior to the tournament, the Philippines was ranked 63rd in the world (12th in Asia). And after sweeping its four matches in pool play, Alas jumped eight places up the order and is now the world’s 55th-ranked team.
This is the highest FIVB ranking by the Philippine women's volleyball team since 2006 when it also reached No. 55 in the world. Alas' current position falls five spots shy of the country's best ranking in two decades at No. 50 in 2005.
The nationals also entered the Top 10 in the AVC at No. 8 as they moved past the likes of Australia, Iran, India and Indonesia.
Alas’ straight-sets win over Iran on Saturday was a historic one for Philippine volleyball as it secured the country’s first semifinals appearance in an AVC-sanctioned competition since the national volleyball federation was formed 63 years ago.
The nation's semis entry was later formalized through a prelims-ending sweep of Chinese Taipei.
Prior to this year, no Philippine team in either men’s or women’s competitions have made such a feat.
Even with just over a week’s worth of preparations for such a hastily-assembled national team, the Philippines continues to hit new highs one game after the other on home soil with a prospective podium finish still within reach.
Next up in Alas Women's chase for history: world No. 30 and Asia's fourth-ranked side Kazakhstan with a chance to face one of two continental hotshots in Vietnam or Australia for what could be a monumental gold medal finish on home soil.
“We have a good mix of young players and veterans na sobrang naba-balance ang isa’t isa. It’s a good blend of fire, energy and composure. Tina-try naming i-maintain ‘yun hanggang sa dulo and learn from our past games din kasi good training ground talaga ‘yung elimination round for us,” team captain Jia de Guzman said.
"Sobrang surreal na since joining the national team back in 2017, ito naman talaga 'yung goal and sobrang masaya ako na ngayon nandito na kami and malapit na malapit nang ma-achieve 'yung pinapangarap namin," national team veteran Dawn Macandili-Catindig added.
“This is the first time that a Philippine team—by any gender—has ever made it to an AVC competition semifinals,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) chief Ramon 'Tats' Suzara said. “Congratulations to Alas Pilipinas.”
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