Alas Pilipinas in the VTV International Women’s Cup quarterfinals against Est Cola of Thailand. –USPORTS PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas advanced to the semifinal of the VTV International Women’s Cup after making short work of Thailand’s Est Cola, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21, on Thursday at Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam.
Brooke Van Sickle remained as Alas main gunner in dominating the under-21 Thailand women’s volleyball team in the knockout quarterfinal.
READ: Alas Pilipinas posts 2nd straight win, routs Australia in VTV Cup
Eya Laure, who missed the last two games due to illness, returned to action and shone as an opposite hitter.
Alas Pilipinas takes on defending champion and unbeaten Korabelka of Russia on Friday.
Laure broke a 21-all deadlock in the second set and set the tone for four straight points capped by her ace as Alas clinched a two-frame advantage.
READ: Alas Pilipinas bounces back with win over Chinese club in VTV Cup
The former University of Santo Tomas star also powered the Philippines’ comeback from a 10-13 deficit as the Filipinos pulled away with a 21-16 spread off Laure’s backrow kill.
Laure sent Alas to match point, 24-18, before Thailand saved three points only to commit a costly service error.
Setter and captain Jia De Guzman also utilized her middle blockers MJ Phillips and Dell Palomata as well as outside spiker Vanie Gandler, while liberos Dawn Catindig and Justine Jazareno took turns in taking care of Alas’ floor.
Alas dropped its opening game against host Vietnam but won two consecutive games against Sichuan of China and Australia to finish second in Pool A.
The last time a Philippine team reached the podium in VTV was Choco Mucho in 2023 when it won the bronze medal.
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Est Cola will be relegated to the classification round.