Alas Pilipinas Women showed plenty of promise, snagging a set but ultimately falling prey to host nation Vietnam, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, to open their 2024 Southeast Asian V.League first leg campaign on Friday evening in Vinh Phuc.
The Philippines led late in the first and third sets, but the Vietnamese powerhouse displayed their poise and maturity by overcoming those deficits.
Ahead 23-22 in the opening frame after an Alyssa Solomon dropball, Bella Belen committed a costly error in the next play. Back-to-back aces from Pham Thi Nguyet Anh then followed.
Alas was on top 22-21 in the third set, only to see Nguyen Thi Trinh and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh go on a 4-0 run for a 2-1 Vietnam set lead.
After Sisi Rondina’s off-the-block hit pulled the Philippines to within a point in the fourth set, 21-22, Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen responded with a sharp crosscourt kill.
Two consecutive attack errors by Dell Palomata and Solomon then secured the win for Vietnam.
Solomon, the 2023 second-leg Best Opposite Spiker, dazzled in her return to action for the national team. She had 20 points with an efficient clip of 20-of-36 in spikes.
Palomata, who was barely used in previous tournaments, also shone brightly with 14 points on nine attacks and five blocks.
(C) SAVA
Eya Laure tallied five blocks to go with six spikes and two aces for 13 points, while Thea Gagate and Vanie Gandler each scored 12 points.
Alas Pilipinas outscored Vietnam in all departments: 58-53 in spiking, 14-13 in blocking, and 7-6 in aces, but almost doubled the errors of their foes, 23-12.
The Nationals, who were coming off last-place finishes in both of the 2023 legs, dropped to 0-1, joining Indonesia.
(C) SAVA
On the other hand, Vietnam and Thailand are early leaders with identical 1-0 records.
Earlier, Thailand swept Indonesia, 25-14, 25-20, 25-11.
Tuyen was on a world of her own with 27 big points while Trinh and Quynh delivered eight apiece in the victory.
Alas will look for their first win tomorrow when they face Thailand, which won all previous five editions of the tournament.
The tournament has a single round-robin format, with the best team after all the games hailed as leg champions.
The second leg will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from August 9 to 11.
