Volleyball

Alas Pilipinas Faces Crucial Match Against New Zealand in AVC Women's Nations Cup

June 11, 2025

alas pilipinas vs new zealand in avc women's nations cup

Alas Pilipinas, Philippine women's national volleyball team, is set to face New Zealand on June 11, 2025 and 4 p.m. in Philippine time in a make-or-break match at the Dong Anh Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam. The match is one of the encounters of the AVC Women Nations Cup, which will take place between June 7 and 14, 2025. Alas Pilipinas is at 2-1 and a win is crucial to their hopes of making the semifinals. New Zealand, 1-2, is looking to get momentum after having won their last game. This contest is sure to be a great show of volleyball with both the sides seeking a vital victory.

Tournament Context

AVC Women's Nations Cup serves as a major event where Asian and Oceanian national teams (who do not take part in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League) can gain world ranking points. There are 11 teams at the tournament in two pools, and Pool B consists of Alas Pilipinas, New Zealand, Iran, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Mongolia. The first two teams of each pool will qualify to the semifinals and thus each game will be important. The latest Pool B positions are:

Team	Record
Iran	3-0
Kazakhstan	3-0
Philippines	2-1
New Zealand	1-2
Indonesia	0-3
Mongolia	0-3

Alas Pilipinas must secure wins against New Zealand and Kazakhstan (on June 12) to ensure a top-two finish.

Team Profiles

Alas Pilipinas

Alas Pilipinas is coached by Jorge Edson Souza de Brito and integrates senior players with new talents. With the win over Mongolia and Indonesia, the team has demonstrated potential but suffered a slight disappointment after losing to Iran in five sets (25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 23-25, 13-15) on June 9, 2025. Major players involve:

Jia de Guzman: The team captain and setter, who is also known as a strategic playmaker, is the eldest, she is 30.

Angel Canino: An outstanding opposite spiker and two time UAAP MVP, who can deliver steady points.

Bella Belen: A UAAP MVP middle blocker, and defensive power in their ranks.

Eya Laure: Outside hitter, whose attacks are strong.

Shaina Nitura: An outside hitter rookie and UAAP Rookie of the Year, a source of fresh energy.

Others: Thea Gagate (libero), Fifi Sharma (middle blocker), Dell Palomata (middle blocker), Leila Cruz (wing spiker), Vanie Gandler (outside hitter), Alyssa Solomon (middle blocker), and Cla Loresco (libero).

The combination of the experienced and the young in the team along with the never-say-die attitude of de Brito makes the team a force to reckon with. The player Angel Canino is confident, saying, “We have a great opportunity to beat New Zealand, and the mood in the camp is high (Philippine News Agency).

New Zealand

New Zealand women volleyball team, also known as Volley Ferns, has not started the tournament on a bright note. They opened with a narrow five-set defeat of Mongolia (25-22, 25-22, 10-25, 20-25, 15-13) on June 9, 2025, but were beaten by Kazakhstan on June 7 and Iran on June 8 (23-25, 25-16, 25-12, 25-18). Although not much is known about their roster specifics, the way they played against Mongolia should give confidence in their resilience and the capability to play tight games. The competitive nature of the team was seen in the way they took Iran to four sets indicating that they have some players who can make significant plays (Volleyball New Zealand).

Head-to-Head Matchup: A First for the Record Books

It seems to be the first official AVC meeting of women volleyball between the Alas Pilipiinas and New Zealand. Lacking any historical data, the two teams will rely only on the present form and tactic. The surprise factor may play an action changer.

Key Players to Watch

Alas Pilipinas:
- Angel Canino: Her scoring and leadership are very important, following her impressive showings in the previous games.
- Jia de Guzman: The precision in her settings will determine the offensive rhythm of the team that will allow the other players, such as Canino and Laure to excel.
- Shaina Nitura: The youngster has an aggressive style that would give the team a boost, particularly when it matters most.
New Zealand:
The particular names of the players are not extensively available, yet the fact that they were able to challenge Iran and beat Mongolia indicates that they must have been powerful forwards and backwellers. Look out nerves- their main spikers and setters that have powered their competitive sets.

Strategic Breakdown

Philippines Game Plan:

Employ quick sets and power hits by Canino, Laure and Belen.
Regulate the speed of the game with the help of Jia as a leader.
Liberos such as Gagate and Loresco will be important in providing defensive reliability.

New Zealand Game Plan:

Draw the match into long rallies.
Force Philippine errors by disrupting serve-receive rhythm.
Maximize blocking against Philippine middle attackers.

Expert Prediction

Alas Pilipinas is favored considering they have a deeper bench and a better record. However, do not think it is going to be a cakewalk. It is not a coincidence that New Zealand can take stronger teams to the limit. They can upset the Philippine ride on their wave of momentum and frustrate their attack.

This is the prediction: Alas Pilipinas in 4 tight sets.

Final Thoughts about AVC Women's Nations Cup

This game is not merely a pool game but it is a moment of truth of Alas Pilipinas. With a victory over New Zealand, they will be on course to face each other in the semifinals. To New Zealand, it is the opportunity to show that they are one of the best in the region.

Whatever the result, the fans are to get passion, power and precision. There is everything to play and therefore both teams will give it all on the court.