Alas Pilipinas salvaged a bronze finish after fending off Indonesia in four sets, 25-23, 15-25, 25-23, 25-21, to cap off the opening leg of the 2024 Southeast Asian V-League on Sunday in Vinh Phúc, Vietnam.
Coming off back-to-back losses to host Vietnam and Thailand, the Filipinas vented their ire on the Indonesians to bag their first medal in the tourney since their back-to-back bronze finishes in 2019.
The team went winless during the 2022 and 2023 editions of the tournament.
After a disappointing showing in the second frame, Alas Pilipinas bounced back in the close third set to take a 2-1 advantage. They then overcame a few hiccups and going for the jugular in the fourth.
Alyssa Solomon of National University spearheaded the victory with 16 points on 14 attacks, one block, and one ace, helping the Philippines snap an 11-game losing streak in the SEA V-League.
Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina and Chery Tiggo’s Eya Laure contributed 13 points each. Meanwhile, the middle blocker tandem of Thea Gagate of ZUS Coffee and Fifi Sharma of Akari added 10 adn seven markers in the victory.
The Philippines opened its campaign with a 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25 defeat to host Thailand.
Yesterday, Alas bowed to Thailand, 12-25, 18-25, 10-25.
Meanwhile, Arsela Nuari Purnama finished with 22 points for Indonesia, while Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi added 18 markers.
The Philippines will try to come up with a better campaign in the second leg, which will run from August 9 to 11 in Thailand.
