Alas Pilipinas Girls just made history after qualifying in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship.

The Filipinas booked a ticket to next year's prestigious world tournament after shocking Thailand, 25-23, 25-20, 19-25, 25-22, to secure fifth place in the 2nd AVC Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship on Saturday at the Prince Hamzah Sports Hall.

Team captain Xyz Rayco capped her international debut with 30 points on 25 kills, four blocks and an ace, leading the youngest Philippine national volleyball squad to its best-ever finish and a berth in next year’s worlds in Chile.

The Philippines clinched the final Asian spot as China had already qualified as the defending world champion even before reaching the Final Four. Other qualified Asian teams include Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan.

“That’s really the icing on the cake,” said Alas U16 coach Edwin Leyva.

“We only had two weeks to prepare, and at first, we were just a ragtag team. But we took it one set at a time, and now our dream came true.”

Alas recovered from dropping the third set and held off a late Thai rally in the fourth. With the score tied at 19-all, Rayco delivered in the clutch, scoring the final three points to seal the victory and the world championship slot.

“I’m inspired because I’m still young, but I’ve already come this far and I know there’s still a higher level waiting for me,” said Rayco.

Nadeth Herbon backed Rayco with 16 points, while middle blocker Madele Gale added 11, including five blocks.

The win also served as redemption after the Philippines blew a 2-1 match lead and lost to Thailand in five sets during the final eight.

“In the third set, we started to feel down, but in the fourth, we didn’t let it happen again because we didn’t want a repeat of our last game,” said Rayco.

Despite limited preparation, the young Filipinas impressed in their international debut — taking a set against defending champion Japan, defeating Iran to reach the final eight, and sweeping Hong Kong to earn a spot in the battle for fifth.

Thailand finished sixth, led by Natacha Thongkham with 18 points and Chamikon Cankawe with 13.