Alas Women push Thailand to limit before falling in five-set SEA V Cup battle

Alas Pilipinas Women gave defending champion Thailand a major scare before falling in five sets, 25-17, 19-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-10, in the opening leg of the 2026 Southeast Asian Volleyball Cup (SEA V Cup) on Saturday at Dong Anh Gymnasium in Vietnam.

The defeat dropped the Filipinas to 0-2 in the first leg, while Thailand remained unbeaten at 2-0 and moved closer to securing the title.

Head coach Jorge Souza de Brito made key adjustments in the second set, inserting Mars Alba and Alyssa Solomon into the lineup. The move immediately sparked Alas Pilipinas, with Bella Belen, Vange Alinsug, Thea Gagate, and Fifi Sharma also stepping up to help the Filipinas level the match with a 25-19 win.

Thailand responded in the third set behind Sasisaporn Janthawisut, who powered the defending champions to an 18-7 advantage before the Thais regained control of the match.

The Philippines refused to back down, however, as Belen, Solomon, and Eya Laure carried the offense in the fourth frame to force a deciding set.

But Thailand leaned on its experience in the crucial moments. Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Kaewkalaya Kamulthala delivered timely plays in the fifth set to help the eight-time SEA V Cup champions withstand the Filipinas’ challenge.

Thailand will battle host Vietnam on Sunday at 8 p.m. (Manila time) with the first-leg championship at stake.

Alas Pilipinas will look to end its campaign on a positive note when it faces Indonesia at 5 p.m. (Manila time).