Alas Pilipinas is off to a red-hot start as it defeated Iran, 29-19, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, for its first victory in Pool C of the AVC Girls’ U18 Championship on Wednesday at the Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Xyz Ellen Rayco topscored with 19 points on 14 attacks, three blocks and two aces, followed by Ma. Ellanie Lorraine Gonzalvo backed her up with 15 points on 12 attacks and two aces in the one hour and 50-minute match.

Jhaynna Love Bulandres and Adelaine Terese Agustin chipped in nine points for the team, which clinched the bronze medal in the Princess Cup.

Sana Naghipour led the Iranians with 15 points, 13 on attacks, followed by Setayesh Nasr Esfahani with 15 points on eight points and two aces.

“We had expected Iran to play well, they beat us in the semifinal at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain,” said head coach Karl Dimaculangan, who is assisted by Keenan Quitco and Marco Ely Maclang.

Alas Pilipinas, which was sent to the tournament through the Philippine Olympic Committee and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Boysen and Monolith, will next face Japan at 10 a.m. on Thursday and Indonesia at 4 p.m. on Friday as it tries to capture at least the top two spots in the pool play.

Dimaculangan stressed the importance of having a proper mindset.

“We need to be more focused on the game and be more aggressive, especially on the floor,” he said.