Alas Pilipinas women redeem selves with first silver at SEA V Cup

Alas Pilipinas women secure a runner-up finish in the SEA V Cup Leg 2 in Thailand.–SAVA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —Alas Pilipinas women made up for their winless campaign in Hanoi with their best finish in the SEA V Cup on Sunday at Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.

The Philippines claimed its first-ever silver medal in the regional meet after exacting sweet revenge on Indonesia, 25-13, 23-24, 25-19, 33-31, in Leg 2.

The runner-up finish came a week after Indonesia snapped the Philippines’ streak of four straight bronze medals in Leg 1 in Vietnam.

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The returning Alas core players, under Japanese coach Taka Minowa, found their groove, making sure that they won’t go home empty-handed this time in their last tournament before the Asian Games in Japan.

Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Eya Laure formed a potent trio in the second leg, with team captain and setter Jia De Guzman unleashing the best in them.

The troika saved set points in the fourth set when Indonesia threatened to force a decider. Solomon nailed a big cross-court to tie the frame at 30-all.

Fifi Sharma sent Alas to the verge of victory with a block on Ersandrina Devega, who also sent her final attack attempt wide in the two-hour match.

Solomon, the first leg Best Opposite Spiker, led Alas with 19 points, all from attacks, while Belen and Laure delivered 17 points each.

It will be Alas’ first silver medal in the V Cup since the league was inaugurated in 2019 as the ASEAN Grand Prix, where the Philippines collected six bronze medals.

Laure sustained her fine form after scoring 22 in a stunning win over Vietnam that snapped the Philippines’ seven-year losing streak in the tournament on Saturday.

Alas’ net defense was also key to its success, especially in the past two games where it nailed 15 blocks each.

Indonesia, which finished the second leg with a 1-2 card, can still wind up with the bronze if Vietnam pulls off an upset against Thailand. The Thais are already assured of the gold even if they lose.

Arsela Nuari Purnama led the Indonesians with 19 points. Medi Yoku had 18, while Devega and Chelsa Nurtomo chipped in 13 and 12, respectively.