Alas Women fall to reigning champ Korabelka in VTV semis

The Nationals displayed steely nerves in the fourth set where they recovered from an 8-15 deficit and turned it into a one-point game, 16-17. But their efforts were not enough as the Elizaveta Nesterova-led Korabelka always had their answers to deny the Filipinas’ final salvo off a 22-24 rally.

With its loss, the Philippines is relegated to a third-place match where it faces Chinese Taipei which suffered a 25-13, 25-19, 25-16 semis loss to >font-family: Gilroy; display: inline !important;>host Vietnam.

>font-family: Gilroy; display: inline !important;>Korabelka, on the other hand, remained unblemished in the competition heading into its title defense against the Vietnamese.

Both championship and bronze-medal games are set Saturday, July 5.

Despite having a rough start, Alas maintained its composure and battled its way back to a better outing in the second frame thanks to Alleiah Malaluan’s heroics that leveled the match at 1-1.

However, momentum shifted quickly as the 19-year-old Nesterova kickstarted the Russian assault as they established a 19-13 breakaway which they preserved to regain the upper hand.

From there, Amie Provido, Vanie Gandler, Dell Palomata, Brooke Van Sickle, and Eya Laure provided the hits for a good followup, making it a tight affair in the fourth after falling to an 8-15 hole.

They even made it a one-point game despite Jia De Guzman’s absence on the floor, with Tia Andaya taking charge in orchestrating the offense.

However, it was their last rally as the Russians simply outgunned the Filipina hitters in the crucial stretch.

Prior to its semis setback, the retooled Alas held off an energetic Est Cola (Thailand U21) side in the quarterfinal, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21. — Mark Rey Montejo