Alas Pilipinas Falls to Host Thailand in SEA V.League Opener Despite Strong Start

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by Misha Cruz

Eya Laure and Alas Pilipinas in the SEA V. League leg 1 match against Thailand. Photo: SAVA

Alas Pilipinas Women kicked off their 2025 Southeast Asia V.League campaign with a tough four-set defeat to powerhouse Thailand, 17-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-20, on Friday night at the Ninh Binh Gymnasium in Vietnam.

Hoping to turn the tide against the seven-time champs, the Filipinas came out firing, showing improved cohesion and determination. They raced to a commanding first-set win, capitalizing on early miscues by Thailand and aggressive plays from returnees Angel Canino and Fifi Sharma.

The Filipinas showed grit in the second frame, coming back from a four-point deficit behind the efforts of Eya Laure and Alyssa Solomon. A timely back-row kill and defensive errors on the Thai side even gave the Philippines set point. However, a couple of costly attack errors let Thailand steal the set and shift momentum.

Despite the heartbreaking second set, the third was equally dramatic. Thailand jumped to an early lead, but the Nationals clawed back and came within a point at 20-21. Thai setter Pornpun Guedpard then stepped up, delivering a late surge that the Filipinas couldn't stop, handing Thailand a 2-1 lead.

Eya Laure (8). Photo: SAVA.

In the fourth, the Philippines again showed signs of a comeback after cutting down a four-point gap, but a series of untimely errors and strong finishing plays from Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Hattaya Bamrungsuk sealed the match for the hosts.

Alas Pilipinas entered the match determined to break a decades-long losing streak to Thailand, dating back to 1993, and halt the Thais’ 21-game SEA V.League win streak. While they fell short, their spirited performance offered hope for better results ahead.

Jia De Guzman (11) and Fifi Sharma (2). Photo: SAVA.

The game also marked the return of Canino, Solomon, and Bella Belen, who missed the previous tournament. All three played key roles in the country’s silver-medal finish at the AVC Women’s Nations Cup earlier this year.

Now holding a 0-1 record, Alas Pilipinas turns its attention to Vietnam, whom they’ll face on Saturday at 2:30 PM. Thailand, on the other hand, joins Vietnam at the top of the standings after the host nation swept Indonesia earlier in the day.

Despite the loss, the Filipinas proved they’re ready to compete — and possibly surprise — in the coming matches.