Heartbreak continued to haunt the Philippines as Alas Pilipinas Men suffered a come-from-behind 19-25, 25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 8-15 five-set defeat at the hands of host Indonesia on the opening day of the 2025 Southeast Asia V.League second leg, Wednesday evening at the Jakarta International Velodrome.
Just three days removed from a loss to the same team that denied them a podium finish in the first leg, the Filipinos’ bid for revenge slipped away after a costly 0-5 start in the decisive fifth set, dashing their hopes of opening the second leg on a high note.
The loss marked the sixth straight defeat of the Philippines to Indonesia since the introduction of the men’s division in the SEA V.League in 2023.
Capitalizing on a reeling Philippine side still shaken from a narrow fourth-set collapse, Indonesia quickly raced to a 5-0 lead. Consecutive attacks from Fahri Putratama and Tedy Syahputra highlighted the run that gave the hosts a commanding 9-3 cushion.
The sluggish start proved too much to overcome. A block by Hendra Kurniawan on Buds Buddin, an out-of-system hit by Putratama, and a game-winning service ace by Putratama sealed Indonesia’s triumphant start to the second leg of the annual regional tournament.
Alas Men had shown signs of life in the fourth set, trimming a 18-23 deficit with a spirited four-point run—courtesy of two Indonesia errors, a quick hit by Peng Taguibolos, and a clutch block by Steven Rotter. But Indonesia regrouped in time, with a Putratama kill and a Kurniawan denial on Lloyd Josafat forcing a deciding fifth set.
Earlier, the Nationals seized a 2-1 lead in the match after pulling away in the third frame. With the score tied at 13-all, Jau Umandal and Jade Disquitado spearheaded a crucial 5-1 run that put the Philippines ahead, 18-14.
Down-the-line hammers from Leo Ordiales and a miscue on Indonesia’s end secured the third set, 25-21.
The Philippines initially took control of the opening set, but allowed Indonesia to claw back and steal the frame. Learning from their mistake, Alas Men bounced back in the second, with key hits from Ordiales, Josafat, and Rotter leveling the match at one set apiece.
Alas Pilipinas Men will look to snap their losing skid and revive their second-leg campaign when they take on winless Cambodia on Friday, July 16, at 5:00 PM.
In the earlier match, bronze medalist Vietnam made short work of SEA V.League newcomer Cambodia with a 25-23, 25-19, 25-21 straight-sets win.
