MEETING Kazakhstan will be no easy task for Alas Pilipinas when they clash for a finals’ slot on Tuesday night in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Kazakhs are a tall and talented team and national coach Edson Jorge Souza de Brito feels that he needs an energetic squad when they take the floor at 7 p.m.
“They need to play against Kazakhstan with energy. Yes, Kazakhstan is tough,” said De Brito after they brought down winless Chinese Taipei, 25-13, 25-21, 25-11, for their fourth straight win in Pool A.
The Kazakhs showed their might when they dominated Hong Kong with a decisive 25-17, 25-18, 25-4 sweep that allowed them to secure the second seed in Pool B.
Six-foot-two Sanna Anarkulova dominated and scored 22 points with 19 attacks, two blocks, and one ace.
Six-footer Zhanna Syroyeshkina supported her with 16 points from 10 attacks, five aces, and one block in their 65-minute contest.
“They have a lot of guys who can spike strong and even block,” de Brito added.
De Brito will bring back the high-leaping Sisi Rondina and the lanky Fifi Sharma back in the game, after the two were absent in their clash with Chinese Taipei.
Vietnam was the first to claim a semis slot, after pulling off a 25-17, 25-15, 27-25, 25-13 win against Indonesia.
The defending champions will clash with Australia earlier at 4 p.m. for the first finals berth.