MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas delivered a breakthrough day for Philippine volleyball on Saturday, with the girls’ national team earning its first victory in the FIVB Girls U17 World Championship and the senior women’s squad ending a seven-year losing streak against Vietnam in the SEA V League.
The Alas girls opened the day in San Felipe, Chile, defeating Mexico, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, for their first Pool B victory in the world championship.
Caera Celis led the Philippines with 24 points on 22 kills, one block and an ace. The St. John’s Institute standout from Bacolod sealed the victory with the match-clinching attack in the fourth set.
Xyz Rayco added 15 points from 12 kills, two aces and a block, while Madele Gale and Jhaynna Bulandres scored 10 points each. Gale produced five blocks, while Bulandres had three aces.
The victory improved the Philippines to 1-1 in its debut in the world championship and matched the achievement of Alas Pilipinas Men, who won a match at last year’s FIVB Men’s World Championship in Manila.
The Philippines can advance to the next round, with the top four teams in Pool B moving on. Defending champion China leads the group at 2-0, while the Philippines, Mexico, Venezuela and Peru sit at 1-1.
The Alas girls will seek a second straight victory against winless Tunisia on Sunday at 5 a.m. Manila time.
Later Saturday, Eya Laure powered Alas Pilipinas Women past Vietnam, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, at Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.
Laure scored 22 points and delivered the match-winning kill against Tran Thi Thanh Thuy to give the Philippines its first victory over Vietnam in seven years.
The win lifted the Philippines to 1-1 in the SEA V League’s second leg and kept its hopes of returning to the podium alive. Alas Women will face Indonesia on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Alyssa Solomon added 17 points, while Bella Belen scored 16, including three blocks. Thea Gagate contributed 10 points and six blocks, while Dell Palomata added nine points and four blocks.
The Philippines finished with 15 kill blocks, with Jia De Guzman directing the offense under Japanese coach Taka Minowa.
The day also featured a milestone for Filipino tennis player Alex Eala, who advanced to the Canadian Open round of 16 in Toronto after beating American Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, despite dealing with a right ankle injury.
The celebrations continued off the court as Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons received the Fans’ Choice for Beach Volleyball Award during the AVC Gala Night. Bryan Bagunas also won the Fans’ Choice Men’s Volleyball Award following his 2025 season with Alas Pilipinas and his first Japan SV.League title with Osaka Bluteon.
