Alas Pilipinas Women made history once again, booking their first-ever final appearance in an Asian Volleyball Confederation-sanctioned tournament after surviving a gritty challenge from Chinese Taipei in a pulsating five-set semifinal, 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 15-25, 15-12, in the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup on Friday at the Doang Anh Gymnasium.
The Filipinas, who made a breakthrough semifinal finish last year, now take it a step further by reaching the championship match—marking the country’s first finals stint in a major international volleyball tournament since the 1997 Southeast Asian Games.
Eya Laure delivered in the clutch, scoring six of her nine points in the decisive fifth set, as the Philippines recovered from a two-set collapse and fended off a determined Chinese Taipei side in a grueling one-hour and 54-minute encounter.
Alas started strong, dominating the first two sets and appearing on course for a sweep. But Chinese Taipei regrouped and took control in the third and fourth sets, punctuated by a 10-point rout in the fourth frame that forced a decider.
Chinese Taipei seized early momentum in the fifth with a 5–3 lead behind Chen Chieh, Liu Shuang Ling, and Chang Yi-Chi. A crucial attack error by Liu, however, shifted the momentum in favor of the Filipinas.
Coach Jorge Souza de Brito responded by inserting Bella Belen, Fifi Sharma, and Laure, who immediately keyed a pivotal 7–2 run to put the Philippines ahead, 10–7.
Chinese Taipei refused to fold, cutting the lead to one after a Sharma service error and a massive block from Kan Ko-Hui on Laure.
But Laure bounced back, sparking a 3–0 run alongside captain Jia De Guzman, whose powerful ace extended the lead to 13–9.
Chen and Chang answered with back-to-back hits, slicing the gap to 13–11. Laure, however, continued her late-set heroics with a sharp crosscourt kill to reach match point.
Chang struck again to keep Chinese Taipei alive, setting up a high-stakes rally. Belen then unleashed a crosscourt attempt that was initially ruled out off Yeh Yu-Wen’s block. Alas challenged—and the review confirmed contact from Yeh.
The reversal sealed the match for the Philippines, sending the team into its first-ever AVC final.
Belen starred with a game-high 15 points, along with 16 excellent digs and 19 excellent receptions in a brilliant all-around performance. She did not participate in last year’s tournament but made up for it with poise and firepower.
Solomon also stepped up with 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Sharma recorded her best match of the tournament with 10 markers, including three kill blocks and two aces.
Angel Canino contributed nine points, along with seven excellent digs and nine receptions.
The Filipinas now brace for a gold medal clash against host nation and regional powerhouse Vietnam, scheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m.
On the other end, Chinese Taipei will battle Kazakhstan for the bronze medal.
Chen paced Chinese Taipei with a triple-double of 19 points, 13 digs, and 11 receptions. Liu added 17 markers, while Chang finished with 14 points in a gallant losing effort.
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