Navigable path for Filipinas, tough trek for Alas

MANILA, Philippines — A navigable path to the knockout rounds of the coming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya looms for the Filipinas.

But a tough road for the Alas Pilipinas men and women.

This as the FIFA Women’s World Cup-bound Pinay booters got themselves bunched in Group G with powerhouse China and two opponents they beat before, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong in yesterday’s official draw at Hilton Nagoya.

While the Chinese, bronze medalists in the 2022 Asiad and champions in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 editions and World Cup silver medalists in 1999, are tipped to top the bracket, the Filipinas have a real good shot at the other berth to the KO rounds at stake in the group.

The Philippines outclassed the Uzbeks just last March at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in a 2-0 victory that secured its second straight appearance in next year’s World Cup.

The charges of coach Mark Torcaso were also victorious the last time they faced Hong Kong, 1-0, as part of their three-game sweep of Group G of the Asian Cup Qualifiers in 2025.

Meanwhile, the Alas  men and women found themselves in tough groups.

The Alas belles are grouped with defending champion China and tall Kazakhstan at Pool B while the men were pooled with South Korea, China and Chinese Taipei at Pool D.

Alas women, retooled for the second time in a few months, aren’t really tipped to contend, considering they did not make the last edition in Hangzhou, China.

It finished eighth the last time it joined in 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

It’s different with the Alas men though as they should have more chances of finishing better if they could summon the same play they did in last year’s World Championship in Manila when it finished the second best Asian team.

But it will depend on the availability of the Nationals’ aces – Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo.

Alas men’s coach Angiolino Frigoni will have his hands full as he seeks to eclipse the team’s 13th-place finish in Hangzhou.

To date, the grizzled Italian mentor is still honing his young wards, who are currently in the SEA V Cup in Jakarta hoping to get more experience there.