CANDON CITY, ILOCOS SUR — Alas Pilipinas Men kept its slim hopes for a historic title alive with a gritty five-set win over a winless Cambodian squad, 25-21, 25-27, 32-30, 23-25, 15-8, in the first leg of the 2025 SEA V.League on Saturday evening at the Candon City Arena here.
Making the most of a one-day break, the Nationals bounced back and forced a three-way tie with Thailand and Indonesia atop the standings. All three hold identical 2-1 records heading into the final day of the tournament’s opening leg.
However, the Philippines’ clearer path toward a first-ever SEA V.League title took a blow after Alas Men faltered in the second set against a Cambodian side that had not won a single frame prior to this match.
To boost their chances of clinching gold, the Nationals must sweep Indonesia on Sunday at 6:00 PM and hope for either a Thailand loss to Cambodia in the earlier game or a five-set Thai win to skew the points and set ratio in the Philippines’ favor.
“We have some very good moments, and some others with some mistakes, but you have to understand that we are a very young team. They are almost all from college — at least six to eight players are still in college,” Alas Men head coach Angiolino Frigoni said.
“I am happy because not only we won, but sometimes or most of the times, we show that we are playing good volleyball. We have to improve and we have to reduce our mistakes, but for us, playing this kind of set is very important as experience.”
After allowing the match to go the distance, Alas Men regrouped in the decider, leaning on crucial hits from Jade Disquitado, Buds Buddin, and Lloyd Josafat to build a commanding 11-5 lead — enough to close out the match and stay in contention.
The Nationals also leaned heavily on Disquitado’s 15-point outburst in the third set, capped by his off-the-block kill and an emphatic block by Owa Retamar on Heng Soerun, to survive a marathon frame and take a 2-1 lead in sets.
Earlier in the second set, the Philippines was poised to take a two-set advantage after a quick attack by Josafat and a Disquitado ace pushed them to set point at 24-23. But Cambodia answered with a 4-1 finishing run — highlighted by a quick hit from Nimul Muorn and a through-the-block strike by Soerun — to level the match at one set apiece, complicating the Nationals’ road to gold.
Off the bench, Disquitado led the Philippines’ charge with 24 points on 21 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while National University teammate Leo Ordiales provided 22 points on 20 attacks.
Buddin tallied 19 points with five excellent digs, while the Philippines’ frontline was manned by the efficient contributions of Josafat (12 points on nine attacks and three blocks) and Peng Taguibolos (10 points on six attacks and four blocks).
With the loss, Cambodia is locked into last place in its inaugural SEA V.League campaign, regardless of the outcome of its final match.
Team captain Veasna Voeurn paced the Cambodians with 21 points, while Sokchea Ron and Heng Soerun each tallied 17 and 15 points, respectively.
In the first game of the day, Indonesia outlasted Vietnam in a tightly contested five-set thriller, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-8.
Boy Amez Arabi led the way for Indonesia with 26 points built on 23 attacks and three blocks. Rivan Nurmulki followed with 23 points on 21 attacks, while Farhan Halim chipped in 20 points on 18 attacks in a well-balanced effort.
Quoc Du Pham carried the fight for Vietnam, which wrapped up its campaign with a 2-2 record, finishing with 20 points off 19 attacks.
