Alas blows lead but outlasts Chinese Taipei to arrange AVC Nations Cup title clash vs Vietnam

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Eya Laure takes charge in the fifth set, while Bella Belen caps an all-around outing with the finishing blow as Alas Pilipinas gets a crack at the crown in the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Alas Pilipinas averted a colossal meltdown to move on the cusp of a historic crown in the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup.

The Philippines blew a two-set lead but got the job done against Chinese Taipei, scoring a nail-biting 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 15-25, 15-12 win in the semifinals at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Friday, June 13.

Eya Laure took charge in the fifth set to preserve the earlier efforts of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Fifi Sharma as the Filipinas eclipsed their bronze finish in 2024 and arranged a title clash with reigning champion Vietnam.

Laure scattered 5 of her 9 points in the deciding set, hammering a pair of hits between a Jia Morado service ace to give Alas a 13-9 lead, then scoring again to put her side at match point, 14-11.

Belen dealt the finishing blow, her attack grazing the fingers of Taiwanese middle blocker Yu-Wen Yeh following a challenge as she finished with a team-high 15 points on top of 19 excellent receptions and 16 excellent digs.

Solomon backstopped Belen with 12 points built on 9 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace, while Sharma tallied 10 points off 5 attacks, 3 blocks, and 2 aces.

Belen and Solomon already had 9 points each through the first two sets as Alas gained a commanding 2-0 lead, but they were neutralized in the third and fourth sets as Chinese Taipei tightened up its net and floor defense.

It then felt like the win had completely slipped out of the Filipinas’ hands when the Taiwanese grabbed a 5-3 lead in the fifth set.

But Alas held its nerve and answered with a 7-2 blitz to seize control at 10-7 before Laure and Belen delivered the crucial hits.

Angel Canino contributed 9 points for the Philippines, which will have a short turnaround as it battles Vietnam in the championship match at 9 pm on Saturday, June 14.

Vietnam, which is gunning for a third straight title, has yet to lose in this edition as it scored a 25-15, 19-25, 25-7, 25-16 win over Kazakhstan in the other semifinal bracket.

Chieh Chen showed the way for Chinese Taipei with 19 points (17 attacks, 2 blocks), while Shuang Ling Liu put up 17 points in the losing effort. – Rappler.com