Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team suffered a straight-set defeat at the hands of the Thailand women’s national volleyball team, 11-25, 17-25, 16-25, in the 2025 SEA Games at the Indoor Stadium Huamark.

Throughout the match, Alas Pilipinas was playing catch-up, but the firepower of Thai stars Pimpichaya Kokram, Thatdao Nuekjan, Chatchu-on Moksri, Sasipapron Janthawisut, and Pornpun Guedpard.

“First match in the SEA Games was not the way that we expected, but we [still] have a lot to deliver for the country. Tomorrow’s gonna be different and of course, the next three matches that we have, we’re gonna deliver much more than today,” said Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

“We’re gonna study what happened (tonight), but the chemistry is hard. We’re gonna find this in the next two matches.”

With the loss, the Philippines is in a must-win situation against Singapore on Friday, December 12, at 6:30 pm (Ph time) to advance to the semifinals.

No Alas Pilipinas player scored in double digits as Alyssa Solomon led the team with nine points, while Angel Canino added eight. Bella Belen and Jia Guzman scored three apiece, while Shaina Nitura, Dell Palomata, and Amie Provido each had two.

For Thailand, Kokram led the team with 14 points, while Moksri and Janthawisut each had 11 points apiece in their second victory in the elimination round.

Thailand’s Head Coach Praises Alas Pilipinas Players

Despite the loss, the head coach of the Thailand national team, Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, praised various Alas Pilipinas players, especially team captain and setter Jia De Guzman.

“So many players, setter I love, setter is very good. Also number 12, very nice. And also middle blocker, all of them, they are very good,” the 59-year-old head coach said in an interview with One Sports.

“Today we played with the Philippines, it’s very hard for us, not so easy. In every point, every ball, every skill, we’re serious and focused on ourselves. We [did] not too much focus on the Philippine team, but anyway the serve of the Philippines [was] very good, [the] attack, also blocking. System very good.”

In a separate interview, Morado was quick to deflect the praise to her teammates.

“Well, I wouldn’t be able to do my job if hindi rin gumawa ‘yung mga teammates ko. From the first touch, talagang ‘yung magagawa ko lang is to set up the spikers with what I get. And ‘yung reception namin, ‘yung first touch namin today, very good talaga. We’ll try to do our best moving forward pa,” De Guzman said.

In the official stat sheet, Thailand dominated the Philippines throughout the match. In reality, there were moments that the Alas Pilipinas had been fighting toe-to-toe with the world’s no. 18 team.

“Well, we are gonna take that. Suyempre, even if it’s the smallest improvement, we will take that. Pero again, hindi naman ibig sabihin na nag-i-improve kami, mag-i-stop na. Even though Thailand is improving with what kind of powerhouse they’ve been these past year, they’re still improving because they are continuing their program, they’re giving preparation for this,” Morado added.

“So with us naman, we’re hoping to get that, but right now this is our situation. Every game we want to improve, every set we want to improve, nakikita naman from the first set, to the second set, to the third set, we’re getting our groove back.”

Bella Belen Is Happy with SEA Games debut

In her long volleyball career, this is the first time that Bella Belen has represented the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games.

Despite their straight-set loss, Belen was happy to represent the Philippines in the biennial regional meet that’s happening in Bangkok.

“I’m very happy. Iba pa rin talaga kapag nire-represent ka ng country. Iba pa rin ‘yung pride na dinadala – hindi na name mo, hindi na school or club team ‘yung dala mo, buong Pilipinas,” she said.

“So kailangan talagang maglaro nang may puso. Kailangan namin gawin ‘yung for the next games, kailangan namin ibigay lahat ng alam namin. Kumbaga, kami ‘yung pinadala dito, kami ‘yung napiling atleta, so malaking bagay for us na mag-perform kami.”

Looking back, Belen admitted that the team had lapses as they faced Thailand, which has dominated the regional meet for the last three decades.

“I think masyado pa kaming stiff gumalaw. I mean, I believe talaga sa team namin na kahit hindi man naging maganda ‘yung naging outcome, alam kong kayang bumawi for the next games. At ayun, sana maka-adjust agad since may game na uli,” she explained.

“Siguro ‘yung positive is may mga times na maganda ‘yung ginagalaw namin against Thailand. May mga times na dumidikit ‘yung score. So siguro kailangan lang namin i-maintain ‘yung ganon, kung paano kami magtatrabaho sa lobo ng court, kung paano namin ma-maintain ‘yung composure namin.”

As the team is now in a must-win situation, Belen is confident that the team can make the necessary adjustments to qualify for the semifinals.

“Hindi naman isang game lang sana ang mapapanalo namin. Sana pati itong Thailand din pero hindi tayo pinalad. Pero siyempre, for tomorrow’s game, kailangan mag-adjust kami agad kung ano ‘yung mga lapses namin today,” she ended.

“Kailangan namin mabago sa training tomorrow bago mag-game. Kailangan namin mas magtiwala sa sarili namin, kasi walang kwenta ‘yung sistema kung kami mismo, hindi kami naniniwala. Siguro confidence din sa bawat isa na kaya namin sumabay sa mga ganitong game.”