Alas Women end seven-year drought against Vietnam with comeback victory

Alas Pilipinas Women finally ended their seven-year winless streak against Vietnam after rallying for a 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 victory in the second leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup on Saturday at Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.

The victory marked the Philippines’ first win over Vietnam since October 4, 2019, when the Filipinas swept their Southeast Asian rivals in the second leg of the ASEAN Grand Prix.

Jia de Guzman and Dawn Macandili-Catindig were part of that historic squad, which also featured Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina, Mylene Paat, and Majoy Baron.

This time, a new generation carried Alas Women to victory, led by Eya Laure, Alyssa Solomon, and Bella Belen.

Laure powered the Philippines with 22 points, while Solomon added 17 and Belen contributed 16 as Alas overcame Vietnam’s early momentum and held firm in the crucial moments.

Vietnam controlled the opening set, but the Philippines responded in the second frame behind the efforts of Laure, Solomon, Thea Gagate, and Dell Palomata to level the match at one set apiece with a 25-23 win.

Alas then seized control in the third set, building an 18-8 advantage before holding off Vietnam’s late push to take the frame, 25-21.

The fourth set became a battle of composure.

The Philippines appeared headed for a comfortable finish after taking a 22-19 lead, but a service error from Mars Alba and consecutive points from Pham Quynh Huong allowed Vietnam to tie the set.

Alas recovered when Belen delivered a crucial attack through the Vietnamese block, followed by a Laure kill that gave the Philippines match point.

Laure then completed the victory on the next rally after successfully defending Tran Thi Bich Thuy’s slide attack.

The win improved Alas Women to 1-1 in the second leg and gave Vietnam its second consecutive defeat after Indonesia also upset the Vietnamese squad on Friday.

It was also the Philippines’ first victory in the 2026 SEA V Cup after going winless in the opening leg.

Gagate bounced back with a strong performance, scoring 10 points, including six blocks, after producing only nine total points across her previous four matches.

Palomata added nine points off the bench, while Vietnam was led by Tran Thi Thanh Thuy with 25 points and Huong with 14.

Alas Women will next face Indonesia on Sunday at 2 p.m. Manila time, with a podium finish at stake.