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Leila Cruz and Brooke Van Sickle turn in promising debuts for Alas Pilipinas, but their efforts go for naught as the Philippines gets swept by Vietnam for the second straight tournament
MANILA, Philippines – Brooke Van Sickle and Leila Cruz debuted in emphatic fashion, but Alas Pilipinas yielded to host Vietnam, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21, to start its 2025 VTV Women’s International Cup campaign on Sunday, June 29, in Vin Phuc.
Van Sickle had 12 points on 9 attacks, while Cruz scored a team-high 13 points to mark their national team debuts, although their efforts went for naught as the Filipinas fell to the Vietnamese anew just like they did in the final of the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nations Cup earlier this June.
The two debutants sparked an early surge for Alas, which saw it grab an 18-16 lead in the first set only to witness Vietnam go on a 9-2 run.
Van Sickle, the reigning Premier Volleyball League MVP, again proved her might in the second set, chopping Vietnam’s seven-point lead to two, 19-21, before Tran Thi Thanh Thuy — a longtime thorn in the Philippines’ side — put on the finishing touches to guide the hosts to a commanding 2-0 lead.
While the Filipinas kept themselves within striking distance in the third set, Vietnam maintained control as timely hits from Kim Thoa proved too much to handle for Alas.
MJ Phillips, who also debuted for Alas, finished with 10 points, while Dell Palomata had 8 points.
Alas featured a retooled lineup in the VTV Cup as it plays without stars Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Angel Canino, all of whom where pivotal in the Philippines’ deep run in the Nations Cup.
Vietnam improved to 2-0 in Pool A, which also includes Australia and Chinese club Sichuan Wuliangchun.
Alas looks to bounce back against Sichuan at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30. – Rappler.com
