Alas Pilipinas Women’s valiant stand against eight-time defending champion Thailand fell short, losing 22-25, 17-25, 26-24, 16-25, and bowed out of title contention in the 2025 SEA V.League Second Leg at the Ninh Binh Gymnasium in Vietnam on Saturday evening.
The Philippines will now aim to salvage a bronze medal for the fourth consecutive time in the regional competition when they face Indonesia tomorrow at 5 p.m. (Manila time).
Meanwhile, Thailand and Vietnam, both undefeated at 2-0, will clash for the gold medal at 8 p.m.
(C) SAVA
Seeking a spark, Philippines head coach Jorge de Brito turned to bench players Shaina Nitura, Bella Belen, Mars Alba, Clarisse Loresco, and Maddie Madayag to start the third set, and they fought valiantly.
The reigning champions held a 21-17 lead after Pimpichaya Kokram, Sasipapron Janthawisut, Kuttika Kaewpin, and Wimonrat Thanaphan orchestrated a 5-1 run, but the Nationals never lost their courage.
Loresco, Belen, and Angel Canino combined to bring Alas to set point at 24-23, thanks to a Nitura block on Kaewpin.
(C) SAVA
Janthawisut extended the set with a back-row hit, but Canino responded with back-to-back points—a crosscourt kill followed by a solid block on Thanaphan—securing the 26-24 victory in the third set.
The Thais, led by reigning MVP Kokram, Chachu-on Moksri, and Thanaphan, then answered strongly, launching a 9-2 run midway through the fourth set to seal the match, 25-16.
