Alas Pilipinas Men showed grit and composure early but ultimately ran out of steam, succumbing to a heartbreaking reverse sweep against defending champion Thailand, 25-18, 25-18, 14-25, 23-25, 7-15, on Saturday evening in the second leg of the 2025 SEA V.League at the Jakarta International Velodrome.
The Nationals looked poised for an upset after claiming the first two sets in dominant fashion, showcasing their progress and potential. However, Thailand, with its championship pedigree, mounted a spirited comeback and took control in the latter frames to deal the Philippines a crushing blow that dims their hopes of a podium finish.
With the loss, Alas Pilipinas drops to 1-2 in the standings, staying in fourth place entering the final day of the leg. The path to a medal now becomes narrow and complicated, as the squad must not only win its final assignment against Vietnam on Sunday at 3:00 PM, but also hope that Thailand defeats Indonesia to swing the set and point ratios in the Philippines’ favor.
All these conditions must align for the Nationals to improve on their fourth-place finish in the Candon leg held from July 9 to 13.
After a narrow fourth-set collapse, the Nationals kept it close in the decider, pulling even at 4-all. But the Thais responded with a blistering 5-1 run that put the Filipinos in a 5-9 hole — a gap they were unable to close.
Thailand’s top performers — Best Middle Blocker Kissada Nilsawai and tournament MVP Amornthep Konhan — came through when it mattered most, delivering the final blows to cap the comeback and hand the Philippines another bitter defeat.
Despite the loss, Alas showed flashes of resilience in the fourth set. Down 15-19, the Nationals rallied behind the National University trio of Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, and Leo Ordiales, who trimmed the deficit to just one, 23-24. But clutch conversions from Konhan and Chaiwat Thungkam ultimately forced a fifth and final set.
This marks the third consecutive loss for the Philippines to Thailand this year, following a straight-sets defeat in the Candon leg on July 10 and another grueling five-setter during the 2025 AVC Nations Cup.
It’s a heartbreak all too familiar for Alas Pilipinas, who also opened their Jakarta campaign with another five-set loss — this time to host Indonesia — last Wednesday, July 16.
