MVP Serneche says tough road awaits Alas girls
BAHRAIN—Harlyn Serneche knows that there are no shortcuts to the top—not in a tournament of this level.
“There’s a long road ahead,” the Alas Pilipinas U18 co-captain said. “It really feels like we’re going through the eye of a needle, so we need to double our effort in training when we’re not playing.”
Serneche, who also served as co-flag bearer alongside boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido during the opening ceremony at Exhibition World Bahrain, leads a young but hungry Filipino squad that has now advanced to the classification round for places 1 through 8 at the Asian Youth Games here.
Alas punched its ticket after finishing second in Pool D with a 1-1 slate—starting strong with a five-set escape over South Korea before absorbing a straight-set defeat to an unbeaten Thailand side.
There’s no time to dwell on the loss, not with two pivotal games ahead in Pool F: a clash with Pool B leader China on Thursday, followed by a matchup with Hong Kong on Friday. The results will determine the Philippines’ seeding in the quarterfinals.
“Our goal is to win the championship, of course,” said Serneche in Filipino. “But we’re staying focused on each game. We need to finish every match strong so we don’t get blinded by the idea of having to be at the top right away.”
The team is built around a solid core of National University Lady Bullpups, with Ysabella Cruz, Rihanna Cris Navarro, Diza Marie Berayo and Atasha Anne Doroja providing consistency and chemistry.
With potential quarterfinal opponents looming from Pool E—namely Iran, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Qatar—the road won’t get any easier.
But Serneche, the UAAP Season 87 girls’ MVP, says the team is ready.
“We’re all mentally prepared,” she said. “My teammates and I have already talked about what needs to be done.”
