Phl spikers gun for historic finals stint

BANGKOK, Thailand — Veteran hitter Eya Laure is expected to suit up after a two-game rest as Alas Pilipinas shoots for its first ever finals appearance in 28 years against dangerous Vietnam in the crossover semifinal of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games women’s indoor volleyball today at the Indoor Stadium Huamark here.

Opening serve is at 1:30 p.m. (Manila time).

Absent in the championship round for almost three decades and on a 20-year medal drought, the Filipinas are determined to flip the script against a team they have not beaten in the previous five meetings in the biennial meet.

Alas advanced to a fifth straight semis stint after beating Singapore, 25-13, 25-8, 25-18, last Friday to end the pool play with a 1-1 win-loss record in Group A.

Laure is optimistic about finally getting a piece of action after skipping Alas’ first two games due to a minor abdominal strain she sustained during training.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to help the team in the semis. Actually, I really want to help the team,” said Laure, who is on her second appearance in the biennial meet since her debut in the 2019 Manila edition.

“All I have been doing is talking to our outside hitters on the bench. But yeah, hopefully, everyone’s in line with the team’s game plan.”

Young wingers Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Shaina Nitura and Angel Canino have been holding the line in Laure’s absence, showcasing what they can bring to the table for the Brazilian Jorge Souza de Brito-coached squad.

Team captain Jia de Guzman believes the quick turnaround after absorbing a straight sets defeat at the hands of defending 14-time champion Thailand has given Alas the momentum to give the runner-up of the last three editions of the event a run for its money.

“We were able to get looser, get more comfortable coming into the game (against Singapore) and that’s what we wanted to do to get our groove. Since we had very little preparation, it’s the only way of getting to the rhythm again of being Alas Pilipinas. So, we’ll be riding into the next round with this momentum,” De Guzman said.

The Philippines has yet to reach the finals since bagging a silver medal in the 1997 Jakarta edition. The squad’s last podium finish was during the 2005 Manila edition.

But it won’t be easy as Vietnam swept the group stage without dropping a single set after rolling past Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Thailand clashes with Indonesia in the other semifinal pairing.

The battle for the bronze and gold medal showdown will be played on Monday.