Host country Indonesia dethroned defending champions Thailand in the second leg of the 2025 SEA Men’s V.League in Jakarta.

Alas Pilipinas pushed Indonesia to its limit but ran out of gas, 19-25, 25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 8-15, in the first day of competition on July 16. Indonesia then cruised past Vietnam, 25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 25-15, before easily defeating Cambodia, 25-21, 25-14, 25-22.

In their last game, Indonesia barely outlasted Thailand, 27-29, 25-15, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13, to take home their third championship. Indonesia won both legs of the inaugural season of the SEA Men’s V.League in 2023.

After finishing bronze in the first leg, Vietnam took home the silver medals after finishing the tournament with three wins and a loss, coming from the eventual winners Indonesia.

Vietnam started hot in the tournament, defeating Cambodia in straight-sets, 25-23, 25-19, 25-21, in the opening match of the second leg. After their loss to Indonesia, Vietnam surprised everyone when they outlasted defending champions Thailand in five sets, 25-19, 16-25, 25-21, 19-25, 15-11.

Vietnam ended the tournament on a high note with a 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 25-16 victory over the Philippines.

Thailand was dethroned from the top as the team settled for bronze in this leg. Thailand’s two victories came at the expense of the Philippines and Cambodia.

Thailand defeated Cambodia, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22, 25-14, on July 17. The team then reverse swept the Philippines, 18-25, 18-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-7, on July 19.

Alas Pilipinas finished in the fourth spot anew, tallying their only win against Cambodia, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18 on July 18. Cambodia still sit in the bottom of the standings without a win in four matches.

Dream Team

Indonesia’s Boy Arnez Arabi took home the Most Valuable Player award, and was awarded as one of the Best Outside Spikers with Vietnam’s Nguyen Ngoc Thuan.

Indonesia’s Jasen Natanael Kilanta was awarded as the Best Setter, while teammate Rivan Nurmulki took home the Best Opposite Spiker Award. Thailand’s Kissada Nilsawai and Vietnam’s Tran Duy Tuyen were the Best Middle Blockers.

Josh Ybanez of the Philippines won the Best Libero award.

What’s Next for Alas Pilipinas?

Alas Pilipinas will go back to the drawing board as they prepare for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships in Manila from September 12 to 28.

The Philippines are in Pool A with Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia. Aside from the four countries, 28 other countries will compete for the championship which would qualify them for the 2027 World Championship.