Manila, June 10 -- Alas Pilipinas seeks to keep its semifinal bid alive against New Zealand on Wednesday in the AVC (Asian Volleyball Confederation) Women's Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The match is set at 4 p.m. (PH time) at Dong Anh Arena.

After bowing to Iran, 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 23-25, 13-15 Monday, the Philippines must hurdle New Zealand and Kazakhstan on Thursday.

Angel Canino said they have a big chance against New Zealand, which survived Mongolia, 25-22, 25-22, 10-25, 20-25, 15-13, also on Monday.

"Jia [Morado-de Guzman, team captain] keeps our spirits up. She told us that we have more matches coming up and that we keep our chins up -- we fight to the end," Canino said during the tournament's rest day Tuesday, as...