Alas Pilipinas falls to Thailand in five-set battle at SEA V Cup

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas women at SEA V Cup Leg 1

Alas Pilipinas women in action during the SEA V Cup Leg 1 in Hanoi, Vietnam. –SAVA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Alas Pilipinas Women came close to pulling off one of its biggest upsets in recent memory, pushing Thailand–a team the Philippines has not beaten since the 1993 Southeast Asian Games–to a rare fifth-set duel.

Behind Bella Belen, Eya Laure and Alyssa Solomon, Alas forced the world-class Thais to a decider before the eight-time champion recovered in time to escape with a 25-17, 19-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-10 victory in the SEA V Cup Leg 1 on Saturday at Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam

Laure provided the much-needed spark off the bench and conspired with Belen and Solomon to help force the fifth set. Mars Alba also stepped up after replacing captain Jia De Guzman, with her playmaking helping Alas stay level at 4-all in the decider through Dell Palomata’s timely attacks.

However, Ajcharaporn Kongyot caught fire, scoring six points in the fifth set as Thailand built a 10-6 lead before Belen and Laure trimmed the deficit to two.

Alas Pilipinas women’s Eya Laure in action during the SEA V Cup Leg 1 in Hanoi, Vietnam. –SAVA PHOTO

Kaewkalaya Kamulthala restored order with back-to-back quick attacks for a 12-9 advantage before Kanyarat Kunmueang scored the final three points to keep Thailand unbeaten in two matches. The Thais will try to reclaim the gold medal against last year’s second-leg tormentor Vietnam on Sunday.

Alas lost its 10th game to Thailand dating back to the tournament’s first staging in 2019.

Vange Alinsug also stepped up and joined hands with her National University teammates Belen and Solomon to win the second set, only to be dominated in the third, where the Thais led as many as 18-7.

The Philippines, which is preparing for the Asian Games under Japanese coach Taka Minowa, hopes to extend its streak of podium finishes after winning four consecutive SEA V Cup bronze medals since 2024.

They take on Indonesia on Sunday at 5 p.m.

Alas also scored a set against host Vietnam on Friday before absorbing a 27-29, 17-25, 25-20, 19-25 loss.