Alyssa Solomon returns but Alas Pilipinas fall to Australia in five sets

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at AVC Women’s Nations Cup 2026

Alyssa Solomon and Alas Pilipinas during a game vs Australia in the 2026 AVC Women’s Nations Cup in Candon. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — Alyssa Solomon’s return to Alas Pilipinas ended in heartbreak as the Philippines fell to Australia, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-25, 11-15, in the AVC Women’s Nations Cup on Sunday at Candon City Arena here.

After taking a 2-1 match lead behind Solomon’s heroics in the third set, Alas lost momentum in the fourth and trailed by as many as 11 points, 21-10, as the Australians forced a deciding fifth set.

Alas turned to captain Alyssa Valdez after falling behind 4-7 in the decider. Alas tied the set at 7-all behind Royse Tubino’s down-the-line hit and back-to-back kills from Valdez.

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But Ella Schabort and Lara Maric delivered the crucial points for Australia, helping build a 13-9 advantage before Valdez stopped the bleeding.

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Alas saved two match points through a Solomon attack and a Maric error. Maric’s hit was initially ruled out, but Australia successfully challenged the call after replays showed the ball grazed Tubino’s fingers.

Alyssa Solomon, Thea Gagate and Alas Pilipinas during a game vs Australia in the 2026 AVC Women’s Nations Cup in Candon. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Solomon, who was part of the Philippines’ silver-medal run last year, led Alas with 23 points built on 22 attacks and a block.

“This is a lesson learned for us, and it will help us a lot in our upcoming games,” said Alas Pilipinas interim coach Shaq Delos Santos. “The team is ready. We just need to recover well, prepare properly, and get ourselves ready for the next challenge.”

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Tough break for Alas Pilipinas. #AVCWomensCup | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/CLJMddJhbl

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 7, 2026

Solomon was a late addition to the roster after withdrawing from the PVL Rookie Draft. She sat out Alas’ opening-day sweep of Uzbekistan, 25-16, 25-12, 25-14, on Saturday.

Niña Ytang sustained her fine form with 13 points from nine spikes, three aces, and a block. Valdez finished with 11 points.

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Alas slid to 1-1 in Pool A before facing Kyrgyzstan on Monday at 3 p.m.

Caitlin O’Dea led Australia 17 points. Maric had 16 points. Schabort and Anni Tang had 12 points each, while Chloe Walker added 10.

Alas got off to a slow start and dropped the opening set.

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Australia was on the verge of taking a two-set lead at 23-21 in the second set before Solomon sparked a turnaround, scoring three of the last four points, followed by Thea Gagate’s equalizing ace, as the Philippines tied the match at one set apiece.

Ytang then ignited a decisive run in the third set, delivering timely aces during a 7-0 surge that gave Alas a 22-12 cushion on the way to a 2-1 lead.