Alas Pilipinas women remain grounded as expectations rise

Consistency and teamwork will be key as the Alas Pilipinas women look to continue making waves at the Asian Youth Games.

Denesse Daylisan, one of the more experienced players on the young squad, said the team is taking it one match at a time, even as expectations rise following the Filipinas’ straight-sets victory over Asian powerhouse China.

“Kung matibay po yung connection sa loob at labas ng court, kaya po ilaban yun,” Daylisan said, pointing to the team’s growing chemistry as a factor in their solid start.

The Alas Pilipinas women are already locked in for the quarterfinals, boasting an impressive run with two wins in three matches — defeating South Korea in five sets in the opener and beating China, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20, on Thursday to recover from a straight-sets loss to Thailand.

Daylisan said their recent run is the result of hard work and preparation.

“Hindi tsamba yun,” said Daylisan. “Pinaghirapan po namin yun, maganda naman ang galaw namin.”

Alas Pilipinas still had a match against Hong Kong on Friday ahead of the Round of Eight, and Daylisan noted that although they won convincingly over China the night before, the team remains focused and sees each outing as a chance to improve.

“Ipopolish pa natin yung mga galaw, kaya natin ilaban internationally,” she said.

Rhose Almendralejo led the charge against China with 23 points, including nine in a fiery opening set that stunned the opposition. Sam Cantada and Philippine delegation flag bearer Harlyn Serneche chipped in 10 points each, helping seal the straight-sets win.

With standout performances from Almendralejo, Cantada, Serneche, Daylisan, and rising talents like Diza Marie Berayo, Jaila Adrao, Micaella Gould, Ysabella Patricia Cruz, and Atasha Doroja, Alas Pilipinas is proving that their victories are no fluke.

Philippine team Chef de Mission Ramon “Tats” Suzara praised their performance, noting that while individual players like Almendralejo, Cantada, and Serneche have shone, it’s the collective effort that deserves recognition.

“The Alas Pilipinas team has shown impressive growth in the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain,” Suzara said. “There are a lot of very good potentials. Of course they are very young, there’s still a lot of learning. It’s a stepping stone for them to make it to the higher level of Alas Pilipinas.”

Suzara also acknowledged the excitement surrounding the team’s future.

“It’s overwhelming what these players have shown, they have a bright future for the Alas senior national team,” he said. “I see a lot of energy, I see they’re having fun. It’s very good they enjoy how they play.”

Weightlifters gear up for battle

The world-class Philippine weightlifting team hopes to add to the country’s medal coffers in the 3rd Asian Youth Games as the six-man unit led by world gold medalists Jhodie Peralta arrived here for the competition over the weekend.

With Peralta in the team are fellow gold winners Jay-R Colonia and Alessandra Ann Diaz, Dave Pacaldo, Jerick Castro, and Princess Jay Ann Diaz, who are accompanied by coaches Kelle Kay Rojas, Patrick Lee, Gregorio Colonia, and Allen Jayfrus Diaz.

Action in weightlifting starts on Sunday at Hall 3 of the Exhibition World Bahrain.

The Filipinos are coming off a successful campaign in the IWF World Youth and Junior Championships in Lima, Peru middle of this year where they bagged 10 gold, three silver, and three bronze medals.

The 16-year-old Peralta, from Zamboanga City, led the Philippine charge during the campaign, scooping three golds in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total in the women’s youth 55 kg class.

Jay-R, son of Olympian Nestor Colonia, delivered two golds in the men’s youth 49 kg, while Diaz, niece of Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz, also had a pair of gold in the women’s youth 45 kg event.

Their feat allowed the Philippines to finish nN. 1 in the Youth category of the 33-nation tournament.

Now the team is looking to translate the same success it had in this year’s edition of the AYG.

The Filipinos have yet to achieve a podium finish in the meet featuring athletes 14-17 years old.

Meanwhile, teams from pencak silat, kurash, and teqball already returned to the country after accounting for two of the Philippine delegation’s four medals won so far.

Pesilat Kram Airam Carpio bagged the gold in the girls’ 51-55 kg class of pencak silat, while the duo of Crystal Carino and Nicole Tabucol provided a surprise bronze in the girls’ doubles division of teqball. DAS