Alas Pilipinas bows to Iran and places eighth in AVC

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — It was for the young ones after all.

“It wasn’t really for us, this is really for the younger players,” said an emotional Alas Pilipinas captain Alyssa Valdez moments after they succumbed to Iran, 25-21, 25-12, 25-21, in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup at the Candon Sports Arena on Sunday.

The setback sent the Filipinas to an eighth-place finish while the Iranians ended up seventh in this 12-team tournament.

It wasn’t that bad for a squad formed just less than a month after most of the former members of the team that finished fourth in last year’s Thailand Southeast Asian (SEA) Games backed out.

It was better than having no team at all in this nine-day tournament made possible by the efforts of Candon City Mayor Eric D. Singson, the Philippine Sports Commission and AVC.

Ms. Valdez hoped the program would continue, even if it’s just for the green horns.

“I just hope the program will continue,” she said.

The former SEA Games flagbearer said she didn’t regret taking the cudgels when the unwilling turned their backs on the country.

“One thing I realized all throughout this experience, I also asked myself why I made this decision at this moment in my volleyball career and one thing that came out, it was my love for the game when I was still young,” she said.

“Nothing beats that,” she added.

As for another battle-scarred star in Jovelyn Gonzaga, this may be her last dance with the national team.

“I’m thankful I finished my last game for the national team in indoor,” she said.

While it may be the swan song for some, life goes on for the national team as there were whispers that players like Alyssa Solomon, Niña Ytang, Natalie Estreller and Lara Mae Silva have allegedly been given three-year contracts by Alas’ team sponsor Strong Group Athletics.

“I’m just really grateful for the opportunity,” said Ms. Ytang. — Joey Villar