Alas Men fall short of SEA V. League podium anew

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The Philippine men’s volleyball team winds up fourth again in the second leg of the Southeast Asian V. League after ending its campaign with a loss to Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines – Alas Pilipinas Men finished outside of the podium once more as they yielded to Vietnam, 25-23, 21,-25, 25-17, 25-16, to wrap up Leg 2 of the Southeast Asian (SEA) V. League on Sunday, July 20, at the Jakarta International Velodrome.

The loss put the Filipinos at fourth place again after an identical ranking in the tournament’s first leg in Candon, Ilocos Sur. 

The Philippines finished the leg with a 1-3 record, while Vietnam secured a spot on the podium in the five-nation tournament. 

A win by Indonesia (3-0) in the final game against Thailand (2-1), which Alas almost defeated on Saturday in five sets, would secure Vietnam (3-1) a silver-medal finish. 

The result also means that Alas remained without a medal from this year’s international tournaments ahead of the Philippines’ much-anticipated hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championships in September. 

Jade Disquitado led Alas with 17 points, while Buds Buddin and Leo Ordiales put up 13 and 12 points, respectively, as the Philippines now looks to step up its game ahead of the world event.

Alas kept it close in the fourth set, only to yield to Vietnam’s 16-7 run late in the period to secure the dominant win that also avenged its Leg 1 loss via straight sets. 

The Vietnamese had a strong start, suffocating the Filipinos with their net defense to control the matchup early. 

Alas pulled within one in the waning moments, 24-23, but a Vietnam block sealed the first set which set the tone for the rest of the game. 

Alas then broke away from an 11-all tie with a 12-6 run to take momentum in the second frame, 23-17, before warding off a late rally from the Viets to even the matchup. 

However, it was all Vietnam from there as they dominated the third set and staged a late rally in the fourth canto to seal the win.  – Rappler.com