Saga Hisamitsu Springs dominates Alas Women in friendly matches

Saga Hisamitsu Springs encountered a brief scare from Alas Pilipinas Women before trouncing the latter in the Alas Pilipinas Invitations on Sunday, September 9, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. 

Alas Pilipinas exhibited marked progress but eventually succumbed to the nine-time Japan champion in a straight set loss, 14-25, 21-25, 19-25.

Opposite hitter Mika Yoshitake paced the way for Hisamitsu Springs with 16 points coming from 14 attacks, one block, and an ace.

Ayane Kitamado scored nine markers, all on attacks, while Sae Nakajima finished nine anchored on seven attacks.

Meanwhile, Alyssa Solomon delivered impressive crucial points that put Alas Pilipinas ahead 16-12 in the second set. However, Hisamitsu Springs repulsed the Filipina hitters, keeping them scoreless in the next possessions to tie the scores at 16 and regain control.

Solomon finished with seven points, Sisi Rondina contributed five, while Vanie Gandler and Fifi Sharma chipped in four apiece for the team.

Despite the two-match sweep, Alas Pilipinas Women coach Jorge Souza de Brito expressed that he was satisfied with the performance.

“It is good for us,” said De Brito. “We need to give exposure to all of them, we need more matches at this level. We need international-level play since we are the national team.”

Alas team captain Dawn Macandili-Catindig was overjoyed, stressing that the matches are an important part of the preparations for future events such as the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

“It is important that we do well ahead of other events, as we also look forward to the SEA Games,” Catindig said.