Alas Pilipinas drop SEA V.League opener to seven time champs Thailand

Alessandra Gwen Santos 

Alas Pilipinas Women squandered their sterling first-set performance after bowing to seven-time defending champions Thailand, 17-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-20, in the opening leg of 5th SEA V. League at Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand, August 1 (Philippine Time).

The loss dropped the Filipinas to a 0-1 record while Thailand extended their 22-match unbeaten streak in the tournament since its debut.

Despite the defeat, Alas seized a historic opening frame victory—their first-ever set win over regional powerhouse Thailand squad in the tournament’s history.

Meanwhile, UAAP star Alyssa Solomon stepped up for Alas Pilipinas in the losing effort, after racking up 20 points built on 16 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while Angel Canino contributed 16 points.

Alas controlled the tempo early in the opening salvo, as Ej Laure fired an attack followed by back-to-back aces to dismantle Thailand’s defense before  a service fault from the Thais drew the first blood for the Philippines.

However, Thailand regrouped just in time in the second frame, with Impichaya Kokram’s attack goes through to take a four-point cushion midway.

The Philippines then mounted a comeback behind Canino’s heroics bringing the national squad to set point, but costly back-to-back errors from Solomon allowed the Thais to tie the match at one set apiece.

From there, the Thai squad rode the momentum in the third frame with a blistering 9-1 run. 

Madeleine Madayag stepped up off the bench with quick two points, but Thailand finished off the set with a deflected attack.

With one last chance to force a decider set, libero Justine Jazareno kept the floor defense alive, but Leila Cruz’s attack went wide, allowing Thai’s Warisara Seetaloed to pounce on a misreceive and seal the bitter finish.

Alas Pilipinas now aims to snare their first win in the tourney, as they lock horns with familiar foes, Vietnam on August 2 (Philippine Time).