ALAS Pilipinas’ dream run was cut short by a towering Kazakhstan side, 23-25, 21-25, 14-25, in the knockout semifinals of the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Philippines’ gallant comebacks in the first two sets fell short against a Kazakh side ranked No. 30 in the world, and not even Arah Panique's big game off the bench could turn the tide before a sellout crowd of roaring home fans.
In a scintillating breakout game for the National University hotshot, Panique emerged as the lone Alas ace in double figures with 14 points built on 10 attacks, one ace and converted all three of the team's blocks in the match.
READ: For Jaja, Alas dream run could be the start of something big
Alas' attacking trio, however, was held to limited scoring outputs as Angel Canino (nine points), Sisi Rondina (eight points) and Eya Laure (three points) struggled to penetrate the mighty Kazakhs defense at the net.
"Sobrang proud ko talaga sa team. Wala akong ibang words for it kasi ramdam ko na lumalaban kahit dehado kami, kahit naghahabol kami, kahit mabilis kaming napupuntusan ng Kazakhstan," said team captain Jia de Guzman.
"Feel ko pa rin na gustong-gusto lumaban ng bawat isa sa amin whether inside the court or sa bench namin. Bukas, kailangang mas higitan pa namin."
Its first loss after a sweep of all four games in the group stage relegated the host nation to the bronze-medal game on Wednesday against Australia - the same team it defeated in pool play through a four-set comeback.
Alas’ focus now shifts to ending a five-year international podium drought after winning double-bronze medals in both legs of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) V.League in Thailand and the Philippines.
Panique added: "Pinakita ko lang po kung ano 'yung kaya ko and tiwala po sa sarili na sinasabi lagi ng mga ates na magtiwala lang palagi sa sarili and sa ibang kasama po, 'yung eagerness, and being humble inside the court po."
Alas fell behind early, 10-21, but came to life and cut the Kazakhs' lead to just one in the opening set at 22-23 — thanks to six clutch points from Panique.
The Nationals, however, couldn't finish the job against a Kazakhstan side led by Sana Anarkulova, who dominated with a game-high 19 points on 18 attacks and one of the Kazakhs' eight team blocks.
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