Alas Pilipinas fade late against Vietnam, cling to slim silver hopes in SEA V. League

Peter Jandrei Melan

Despite rallying to take the third set, Alas Pilipinas faltered in the fourth set, as Vietnam remained unbeaten ahead of showdown with Thailand.

Alas Pilipinas Women showed grit in a third-set rally but ultimately fell short against powerhouse Vietnam, 25–13, 25–21, 23–25, 25–9, to remain winless in Leg 1 of the 5th SEA V. League, August 2.

Alas Pilpinas dropped to 0-2 following a promising but incomplete comeback effort, dashing their chances for a silver medal, unless an unlikely upset by Indonesia over defending champion Thailand materializes later today.

Much like their four-set loss to Thailand the day before, the Philippines started slow but surged late, stealing the third set thanks to key plays from Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, and Dell Palomata.

Gandler and Laure repeatedly attacked the same corner to break a 22-all deadlock, and Palomata’s clever tip gave the Nationals a 23-22 edge. Laure then pierced the block for set point, before a service error from Vietnam’s Hoang Trinh sealed the set for Alas Pilipinas.

But that spark didn’t carry over.

Vietnam, led by rested stars Tranh Thi Thanh Thuy and reigning Best Opposite Spiker Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, unleashed a blistering 18-6 start in the fourth set. 

The lead ballooned to 20-7 as the world No. 24 squad slammed the door on any hopes of a full comeback.

Vietnam now sits atop the standings at 2-0 ahead of its much-awaited clash with Thailand, setting up another likely one-two finish between Asia’s third- and fourth-ranked teams.

Still, Alas will look to end the first leg on a high note against fellow winless squad Indonesia on Sunday, August 3.