MANILA – Alas Pilipinas national women’’s volleyball team missed a podium finish in the VTV Women’s International Cup after a 25-17, 26-24, 25-22 loss to Chinese Taipei in the bronze medal game over the weekend at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam.
Less than a month since their five-set semifinal thriller in the 2025 AVC Challenge Cup, Chinese Taipei exacted revenge and dashed the Philippines’ bid for their second podium finish in the 21-year history of the VTV Cup.
Despite the loss, Alas Pilipinas Women’s fourth-place finish represents a significant step forward compared to National University Lady Bulldogs’ winless last-place campaign in the 2024 edition of the tournament.
Alas Pilipinas Women appeared poised to extend the match in the third set after a quick hit from Maddie Madayag, a backrow attack by Eya Laure, and an error from Lin Liang-Tai pushed them ahead at 20-19.
The momentum continued with a through-the-block hit from Brooke Van Sickle and a quick strike by MJ Phillips, keeping Alas in control, but a crucial service error by Van Sickle turned the tide for them.
Chinese Taipei regained the lead and the win after winning a challenge on a crosscourt hit from Liang-Tai, a well-timed hit by Kan Ko-Hui and a crucial attack error by Vanie Gandler.
The victory marked Chinese Taipei’s first win over the Philippines in competitive international play since back-to-back losses in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup in Manila and the 2025 AVC Nations Cup.
Up next for Alas Pilipinas Women is the two-leg SEA V.League scheduled later this month./PN
