History happened on the sand on Monday as Alas Pilipinas Women powered past Vietnam, 2-0, sending the Philippines to its first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal match in beach volleyball since the sport debuted in 2003 at Jomtien Beach in Chonburi, Thailand.
The Philippines is now guaranteed at least a silver medal — their highest finish in the biennial meet — and will face Thailand in the 33rd SEA Games finals. The hosts have claimed all eight previous gold medals in the event.
(C) SAVA Volleyball
Before the gold medal clash, Alas Pilipinas and Thailand (both unbeaten at 4–0) will meet to close the elimination round at 2:30 PM on Tuesday.
Both sides aim to build momentum and gain a crucial psychological edge heading into the final.
Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons opened the series with a tight 21-18, 15-21, 15-10 victory over Thi My Nga Dinh and Hong Hanh Mai, securing the Philippines’ spot in a historic final.
In Game 2, Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez sealed the win with a 22-20, 19-21, 15-10 triumph over Ngoc Lan Chau and Le Thi Tuong Vy Nguyen.
(C) SAVA Volleyball
Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas Men fell short in their bid to upset defending champion Indonesia, losing 1-2 and exiting medal contention.
Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga fought hard in the opening set but ran out of steam in the second, dropping Game 1, 17-21, 9-21, to Sofyan Rachman Efendi and Bintang Akbar.
Ranran Abdilla and James Buytrago then pulled off an upset, defeating Yosi Ariel Firnanda and Danangsyah Yudistira Pribadi, 23-21, 21-18, to force a golden match.
In the finale, Abdilla and Buytrago faced Indonesia’s Team 1, composed of Sofyan and Bintang, and lost 17-21, 13-21, finishing Pool B with a 1-2 record and placing third.
Alas Men will miss the podium for the first time since 2019, after winning three consecutive bronze medals in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
