THERE’S no turning back now for Alas Pilipinas after riding young stars Angel Canino and Eya Laure to two statement wins to open its home campaign in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women.
Canino topscored in both four-set victories over Australia (17 points) and India (22 points) while Laure delivered back-to-back 17-point performances as the Philippines seized solo first place in Pool A with two preliminary matches left.
READ: Alas Pilipinas makes it two wins in a row after brave comeback vs India
Alas Pilipinas needs at least a top-two finish in pool play to reach the knockout semifinals for the first time and surpass its seventh-place finish last year in Indonesia.
Standing in the Nationals’ way are an Iran side that split its first two assignments and the pool’s lone winless team, Chinese Taipei.
Despite being hastily assembled, Alas and its hotshot duo had one thing on their minds from the get-go: all-out on the court, all-in for the win.
“Nandito na kami. Hindi namin bibitawan ‘to nang basta-basta. ‘Yung opportunity, hindi naman ‘to basta-bastang dumadating lang. Ngayong nandito na sa harap namin, ima-maximize namin at gagawin pa namin as a team ‘yung pinakamaganda na pwede naming magawa para sa bayan,” said Laure.
Canino added: “Sobrang different na ‘to at sobrang bihirang opportunity na ‘to na nabigay sa’min. Iga-grab na namin ‘to and siyempre, kung ano ‘yung nakikita naming mali, we’ll try to minimize it next time.”
Alas up the Philippines' sleeve
A little over a week since Alas’ inception, it was clear there was no time to waste in devising a winning formula for the 14-woman pool of Premier Volleyball League (PVL) mainstays and UAAP rising stars.
Despite the time constraints, Laure and Canino were pleased with how quickly Alas began moving like a well-oiled machine. It didn't matter that most of them were first-time teammates or that many were coming off major tournaments.
“Jelling and ‘yung teamwork (ang gumagana sa Alas). Teamwork talaga, communication, and siyempre, ‘yung mga binibigay ng coaches na instructions talaga.
“‘Yung team effort na ginagawa namin sa bawat laro kasi, hindi kakayanin ng isa o dalawa lang talaga. Team effort lang lagi kasi malaki talaga ang mararating kapag magtutulungan ‘yung team at patuloy na maniniwala,” said Laure.
“Kailangan talaga namin ‘yung isa’t-isa sa loob ng court and ‘yung puntos naman na ‘yon, hindi naman ‘yon para sa’min. Para sa team ‘yon, para sa Pilipinas,” Canino said.
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