Photo courtesy: PVL.ph
VANIE Gandler and Angel Canino powered Alas Pilipinas to a commanding straight-sets victory over Mongolia, 25-18, 25-16, 25-14, to kick off their 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup campaign on a high note Saturday at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Gandler delivered a scintillating performance with a game-high 16 points built on 13 attacks, two service aces, and a block.
Canino, the reigning Best Opposite Spiker of the Challenge Cup, was once again fielded in her now-familiar role on the right wing by head coach Jorge de Brito—and she responded with a solid 11-point outing.
The Philippines’ core showed cohesion and poise early on, pulling away in the opening set with a blistering 6-1 finishing run anchored by Gandler, Canino, Dell Palomata, and Eya Laure.
The momentum carried over into the second frame as Alas Pilipinas capitalized on Mongolia’s miscues. From a slim 17-14 edge, the Filipinas zoomed ahead with a 5-0 spurt, thanks to a combination of opponent errors and timely hits from Canino and Thea Gagate, sealing the second set at 25-16.
Mongolia managed a 6-4 advantage to open the third set, but the Philippines quickly turned the tables with a 7-0 counterattack highlighted by Gandler’s scoring flurry and Gagate’s net defense. Mongolia’s own errors further widened the gap as Alas cruised to a sweep in just 89 minutes.
Bella Belen made an immediate impact off the bench in the third set, scoring all six of her points there, including the match-clinching attacks: a down-the-line hit followed by a sharp cut shot.
Jia de Guzman orchestrated the offense with precision, giving her spikers clean looks throughout the match. Laure, returning to action after a seven-month hiatus, chipped in seven points, while Palomata and Gagate tallied six markers apiece from the middle.
Alas Pilipinas also demonstrated clean volleyball, limiting their errors to just 12 compared to Mongolia’s 19.
The win sets up a much-anticipated clash against a tougher Indonesian squad on Sunday, as the Philippines aims to sustain its unbeaten start to the tournament.
On the opposing side, Saruulgerel Ganbaatar led Mongolia with 13 points—all off attacks—while Enkhnaran Ganbold added 10 markers in the losing effort.
Alas Pilipinas looks to build on this emphatic opener as they continue their campaign for AVC Nations Cup glory. pvl.ph
