Alas Pilipinas Girls topple Iran in AVC U18 opener

Alas Pilipinas Girls kicked off its campaign in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Girls' U18 Championship with an impressive four-set victory over Iran, 25-19, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, on Wednesday at Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Xyz Rayco starred for the Filipinas with 19 points, built on 14 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces, while Ella Gonzalvo contributed 15 points from 12 attacks, one block, and two aces as the Philippines claimed the one-hour, 50-minute win to seize the early lead in Pool C.

Jhaynna Bulandres and Adelaine Agustin added nine points each for the Filipinas, who entered the tournament fresh from a bronze-medal finish in this year's Princess Cup.

Iran was paced by Sana Naghipour and Setayesh Nasr Esfahani, who scored 15 points apiece in the loss.

Head coach Karl Dimaculangan welcomed the strong start, especially against an Iranian squad that had previously defeated the Philippines in the semifinals of the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.

"We expected Iran to be a tough opponent because they beat us in the semifinals of the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain," said Dimaculangan, who is assisted by Keenan Quitco and Marco Ely Maclang.

Despite the victory, the Filipino mentor stressed that the team must continue improving ahead of tougher assignments in the group stage.

"We need to be more focused on the game and be more aggressive, especially on the floor," he said.

The Philippines will next face unbeaten Japan at 10 a.m. on Thursday before closing out the preliminary round against Indonesia at 4 p.m. on Friday.

The tournament's top four finishers will earn berths in the 2027 FIVB Girls' U19 World Championship, with the host country still to be announced.