Alas Pilipinas Women Falter as Vietnam Opens SEA V.League Leg 2 With Sweep

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by Misha Cruz

Alas Pilipinas Women Falter as Vietnam Opens SEA V. League Leg 2 With Sweep
Alas Pilipinas' Shaina Nitura (1) spikes the ball against Vietnam. Photo: Alas Pilipinas Volley.

Alas Pilipinas women showed flashes of promise but couldn’t sustain their momentum, falling in straight sets to host Vietnam, 25-14, 30-28, 25-22, in the opening match of the second leg of the 2025 SEA V. League on Friday, August 8, in Ninh Binh.

The Filipinas had their best chance in the second frame, building a 17-14 advantage and looking poised to level the match after dropping the first set. Alyssa Solomon delivered key attacks to give the visitors multiple set points, the first at 24-23.

Alas Pilipinas Women Falter as Vietnam Opens SEA V. League Leg 2 With Sweep
Alas Pilipinas in the SEA V.League 2 in Vietnam. Photo: SAVA.

However, Vietnam leaned on star spiker Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen and its sturdy middle blockers to keep the rally alive. Alas couldn’t capitalize on its opportunities in the extended exchange, surrendering the lead after a Cla Loresco attack was stuffed at the net. A miscue moments later sealed the set for the hosts, 30-28, putting the Philippines in a deep two-set hole.

The third set followed a similar script. Vietnam turned a narrow 5-4 edge into a commanding 14-7 cushion with a 9-3 burst. Just when it seemed the match was slipping away, Alas countered with a spirited 12-5 run to knot the score at 19-all, aided by errors from Vietnam’s second-string unit.

But the rally unraveled in the closing stretch. Shaina Nitura sent an attack long to give Vietnam a 23-21 lead, then committed a costly mishit on the following play to hand the hosts match point. A final conversion from the home side wrapped up the sweep.

Solomon’s scoring bursts and the team’s mid-set surges weren’t enough to offset their lapses in execution, particularly in high-pressure situations. Vietnam’s composure at the net and timely defensive stops proved decisive in front of its home crowd.

The loss means Alas will have little time to regroup, as they face perennial powerhouse Thailand on Saturday, August 9, at 8 p.m. A victory is crucial if the Philippines hopes to build momentum and salvage its campaign in the tournament’s second leg.

Against Thailand, sharper decision-making and consistent execution will be key if Alas wants to turn competitive stretches into actual set and match wins — something that eluded them in their opening-day setback.