Eya Laure and Angel Canino led Alas Pilipinas to another four-setter over India in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
Only two games into the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, and it’s clear that Alas Pilipinas have some downright weapons for national team play. In their opener against Australia, we saw signs of a potential offensive troika in Angel Canino, Eya Laure, and Sisi Rondina.
And against a former podium finisher in India on Friday, fans were treated to standout performances from the younger Canino and Laure. In a 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 win over India, Angel once again exploded for 22, while her ate Eya added 17.
While Angel was the ever-reliable option throughout the contest, Eya would proceed to explode in the last two sets, scoring 11 out of her 17 as Alas Pilipinas won over Indonesia. In particular, it was also the former Queen Tigresses who scored the winning point for Alas.
Despite that though, the once-collegiate foes were modest after the huge victory.
“‘Di talaga namin magagawa ‘yon kundi dahil din sa kanila. So team effort ‘yung ginagawa namin sa bawa’t laro ‘tas ako gawa lang talaga. So team effort lang talaga kasi malaki ang mararating ‘pag nagtutulungan ang team,” Eya told reporters after the game.
For her part, Angel would also agree with her ate. “Kailangan talaga namin ‘yung isa’t isa sa loob ng court and ‘yung puntos naman na ‘yon, hindi ‘yon para samin. Para ‘yon sa team, and para sa Pilipinas.”
Now, the pair, as well as Alas are focused on closing out their preliminary rounds on a high note. After all, Alas Pilipinas now remains the sole undefeated team in Pool A following the victory.
“Syempre nandito na kami! Hindi namin ‘to bibitawan basta-basta. ‘Yung opportunity hindi naman ‘to basta basta dumadating lang. Ngayong nandito na sa harap namin, imamaximize pa namin, gagawin pa namin as a team ‘yung pinakamaganda na pwede namin magawa para sa bayan syempre,” said Eya, as Angel proceeded to share similar thoughts.
With two wins under their belt, Eya would attribute their early success to “gelling, teamwork, and communication”, as well as some pointers from the coaching staff led by Jorge Souza de Brito.
‘They bring a different kind of power’
Meanwhile team captain and player of the game Jia Morado-de Guzman underscored the impact of the young guns stepping up. In a separate interview with reporters, the star setter noted how the youngsters bring “a different kind of power, a different kind of fire and emotion inside the court”.
“Sobra kaming seniors din nadadala talaga, and it’s really a good mix of fire and composure inside the court especially we’re really working on our endgame right now,” said de Guzman.
And on Friday, Alas Pilipinas will be taking on powerhouse Iran. Now, we wait and see who may explode next besides Eya Laure and Angel Canino for Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
Images courtesy of the Asian Volleyball Confederation.
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