Alas Women secure third straight SEA V.League bronze medal finish

Alas Pilipinas secured its third consecutive Southeast Asia V.League bronze medal after defeating Indonesia, 25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-13, last Sunday, August 4, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

After dropping their first two matches to eventual champion Thailand and runner-up Vietnam, the Filipinas bounced back with a strong performance against Indonesia to secure another podium finish at the end of the first leg of the tournament.

The national team delivered a commanding 18-6 run in the final set to clinch the victory in front of a supportive crowd.

Indonesia led 13-8 midway through the opening set, but the Filipinas rallied behind the net presence of PLDT’s Dell Palomata, Angel Canino, Alyssa Solomon, and Akari’s Fifi Sharma. They tied the match at 13-all before Canino and Sharma anchored a 9-5 closing run to take the set.

Carrying the momentum, Alas built an early five-point cushion in the second set and never looked back, leaning on solid net defense and quick transitions to move a step closer to another medal.

Indonesia, however, responded in the third frame as the Filipinas committed eight unforced errors that allowed their opponents to stay in control and extend the match.

But Alas regained composure in the fourth set. Turning defense into offense, the Filipinas surged to an 18-6 lead, again powered by Canino and Sharma at the net, while Solomon and Eya Laure delivered the final blows to secure the match.

The victory cemented Alas Pilipinas’ continued presence on the SEA V.League podium as they wrapped up the first leg with another bronze medal finish.

Canino also bagged the Best Outside Hitter award at the end of the tournament.

The national team now shifts its focus to the second leg of the SEA V.League in Vietnam from August 8 to 10, as they aim to improve on their bronze finish and challenge for the gold.