Alas Pilipinas star Sisi Rondina. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) – Alas Pilipinas was successful in its first assignment in the AVC Challenge Cup.

The Jia de Guzman-skippered squad, placed 63rd in world rankings, defeated 59th-ranked Australia in four sets, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21, on Thursday in front of 4,945 faithful at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

De La Salle University star spiker Angel Canino, who was just moved to opposite spiker position, made her presence felt with a game-high 17 points anchored on 15 attacks, one block and an ace and took home Best Player of the Game nod.

Alas Pilipinas' Angel Canino. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Canino was quick to deflect credit and said that teamwork was the reason they won.

"I think hindi naman ako 'yung big reason. The big reason talaga kaya nakuha namin 'yung win na 'to is teamwork. Kasi given the time na maikli lang 'yung time, 'yung preparation namin pero nagawa namin to which is led by coaches and ate Jia [de Guzman] talaga," Canino said after the game.

Chery Tiggo ace Eya Laure had the same scoring contribution, built on 14 attacks, one block and two aces, while her former UST teammate Sisi Rondina added 16 markers including the game-clinching kill in fourth set.

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Alas was on pace to take the opening canto, 21-18, but a 7-1 run from the Aussies allowed them to snatch the frame.

But the next chapters were essayed differently as the Filipinas eventually took the match in almost two hours.

Australia's Kara Inskip paced the losing cause with 12 points, while Caitlin Tipping added nine.

Alas will face India on Friday, which has already won two games in the tourney.