Alas Pilipinas suffers opening-day loss to Cambodia in SEA V Cup

Despite a tough-gutted fourth-set rally, Alas Pilipinas Men could not close out a crucial comeback as they fell short against the much-improved Cambodia in five sets, 23–25, 30–28, 20–25, 25–22, 8–15, in their 2026 SEA V Cup campaign opener in Pool A at the Candon City Arena, Ilocos Sur, July 16.

The Filipinos carried the momentum from a gritty fourth-set victory into the decider but struggled to recover after Cambodia raced to an early lead.

Cambodia stormed to a 4–0 advantage in the fifth set and never looked back, capitalizing on Alas Pilipinas’ miscues to pull away for its first-ever victory in the tournament.

Louie Ramirez tried to spark a comeback with timely attacks, but the Philippines could not erase an 11–4 deficit as Cambodia closed out the upset.

Alas Pilipinas narrowly avoided falling into a 2–0 hole after surviving a dramatic second set.

After surrendering a 24–21 lead, the Filipinos found themselves knotted at a 28–all deadlock, before Jude Garcia and Lloyd Josafat came to the rescue after uncorking an off-the-block hit and a kill block, respectively.

The host nation’s tough showing was not enough to breeze through a strong start as Cambodia utilized its pesky positioning to draw first blood at 25–23.

Joshua Magalaman stuffed up the stat sheet with 21 points, while Garcia and Ramirez added 20 and 17 markers, respectively.

Alas has yet to compete in the SEA V.Cup finals, as their best finish so far was a bronze-medal run two years ago at the annual meet.

The Philippines, now standing at a 0–1 win-loss record must secure a much-needed triumph against Indonesia this Friday, July 17, for a chance to deepen their tourney run.