Alyssa Solomon, Alas Pilipinas fall to Australia in 5 units

Alyssa Solomon and Alas Pilipinas throughout a sport vs Australia within the 2026 AVC Ladies’s Nations Cup in Candon. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — Alyssa Solomon’s return to Alas Pilipinas resulted in heartbreak because the Philippines fell to Australia, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-25, 11-15, within the AVC Ladies’s Nations Cup on Sunday at Candon Metropolis Area right here.

After taking a 2-1 match lead behind Solomon’s heroics within the third set, Alas misplaced momentum within the fourth and trailed by as many as 11 factors, 21-10, because the Australians pressured a deciding fifth set.

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

However Ella Schabort and Lara Maric delivered the essential factors for Australia, serving to construct a 13-9 benefit earlier than Valdez stopped the bleeding.

Alas saved two match factors by way of a Solomon assault and a Maric error. Maric’s hit was initially dominated out, however Australia efficiently challenged the decision after replays confirmed the ball grazed Tubino’s fingers.

Alyssa Solomon, Thea Gagate and Alas Pilipinas throughout a sport vs Australia within the 2026 AVC Ladies’s Nations Cup in Candon. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet

Solomon, who was a part of the Philippines’ silver-medal run final 12 months, led Alas with 23 factors constructed on 22 assaults and a block.

“This can be a lesson realized for us, and it’ll assist us lots in our upcoming video games,” stated Alas Pilipinas interim coach Shaq Delos Santos. “The crew is prepared. We simply have to recuperate effectively, put together correctly, and get ourselves prepared for the subsequent problem.”

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 high quality type with 13 factors from 9 spikes, three aces, and a block. Valdez completed with 11 factors.

Alas slid to 1-1 in Pool A earlier than dealing with Kyrgyzstan on Monday at 3 p.m.

Caitlin O’Dea led Australia 17 factors. Maric had 16 factors. Schabort and Anni Tang had 12 factors every, whereas Chloe Walker added 10.
Alas received off to a sluggish begin and dropped the opening set.

Australia was on the verge of taking a two-set lead at 23-21 within the second set earlier than Solomon sparked a turnaround, scoring three of the final 4 factors, adopted by Thea Gagate’s equalizing ace, because the Philippines tied the match at one set apiece.

Ytang then ignited a decisive run within the third set, delivering well timed aces throughout a 7-0 surge that gave Alas a 22-12 cushion on the best way to a 2-1 lead.