Alas stymies Chinese Taipei comeback try, gains shot at gold vs Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in the history of Philippine volleyball, the country will have a shot at achieving what it had never done before in any Asian-level tournament — win the gold medal.

That possibility came up after Alas Pilipinas turned back Chinese Taipei, 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 15-25, 15-12, Friday night in the AVC Nations Cup at the packed Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam, to arrange an interesting finals showdown with defending champion Vietnam

In the finals, the Filipinas will shoot for a breakthrough gold against the host country, which earlier snared the first finals seat after turning back Kazakhstan, 25-15, 19-25, 25-7, 25-16 in the other semis showdown.

Whatever happens, the Nationals have already assured themselves of the silver and the country’s best finish in an Asian meet, surpassing their historic bronze in last year’s edition of this same tournament back home at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

But of course, Alas should go for the medal that has more glitter, and pull the rug from under the perennial Southeast Asian Games silver medalist, which had broken the former’s hearts time and time again.

And for the Philippines, enough is enough.

Alas nearly blew a two-set lead though as the Taiwanese charged back to seize the next two sets and forced a fifth set when the latter roared to an early 5-3 lead.

Alas mustered its last strength with a barrage of key hits and, after a late successful challenge on the opposing team’s blockers, took the set and the momentous triumph.

The win came a day for the Philippines after settling an old score with Kazakhs via 25-21, 25-15, 25-19 that propelled the former straight to the semis after topping Pool B with a 4-1 record.

Now, the Nationals will try to exact revenge on another old conquerors — the Vietnamese.