In an explosive start to their campaign, the Alas Pilipinas Girls dominated Singapore with a commanding 25-14, 25-6, 25-12 victory in the opening match of the 22nd Princess Cup SEA U18 Women’s Volleyball Championship on Saturday afternoon at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.
The Philippines, backed by Akari, now holds a 1-0 record in this six-team tournament, which also features Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, and Indonesia.
The Filipinas set the tone with a strong opening frame, claiming a 25-14 win. They then surged ahead with an even more dominant performance in the second set, crushing Singapore 25-6. Kimberly Rubin shone brightly, racking up eight points in the second set alone. Teammates Lianne Penuliar, Avril Bron, and Harlyn Serneche also made significant contributions.
The third set saw Ashley Macalinao spearheading a 13-3 run with five points, showcasing three blocks and two quick attacks. The final blow came from Akeyla Bartolabac’s service ace, which caught the Singaporean defense off guard and sealed the match.
Alas Pilipinas will face Malaysia next, with the game scheduled for tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. (Manila time).
This tournament serves as a crucial preparatory event for the teams, gearing up for the 15th Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship set to take place from June 16 to 23 at the same venue.
Photo by SMM Volleyball
