Alas starts quests in Thailand, Chile

MANILA, Philippines —  Philippine volleyball opens its campaign on two international fronts today – with the Alas Women chasing redemption and the Alas Girls bracing for a baptism of fire.

In Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Alas Women kick off their SEA V Cup Leg 2 bid against powerhouse Thailand, just a month before the Asian Games in Aichi, Japan.

It will be the same battle-tested roster that left Hanoi winless in three outings in Leg 1 – led by Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure and Mars Alba, who shone the brightest despite the results.

Up against the heavily favored Thais on their home floor, the Filipinas will have to play beyond themselves and hope for a miracle to turn the tide.

Over in San Felipe, Chile, the challenge is even steeper.

The World No. 25 Alas Pilipinas Girls open their FIVB Girls U17 World Championship campaign against defending champion and World No. 1 China at 8 p.m. Thursday (Friday morning in Manila).

Setter Irish May Mahinay and skipper Megan Yesha Hernandez admitted they would have wanted more time to acclimatize, master the system and build chemistry, but said they are embracing the challenge head-on.

“We’re doing our best to execute our plays properly,” said Mahinay, noting the team is still feeling stiff after the long trip and the drastic weather shift – daytime highs of 17 degrees Celsius.