By Rochelle Ordinesa

Alas Pilipinas got off to a slow start, dropping the first set, 22-25, to Australia in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women's Cup on Sunday at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.

The Australian side, led by Tang, built an early four-point lead in the set and managed to hold off the Filipinas' comeback attempts.

Alas Women continued to struggle with their connection on the court, committing several unforced errors that allowed Australia to maintain control.

The entry of Solomon and Ubaldo provided a spark for the Filipinas as they slowly chipped away at the deficit, eventually tying the set and taking a slim 19-18 lead.

However, Australia remained aggressive down the stretch, regaining momentum and closing out the set with a strong finishing run.