Alas Pilipinas settled for bronze once again in the first leg of the 2025 SEA Women’s V.League held in Nakhon Ratchasima from August 1-3. Host country Thailand also successfully defended the gold medal, which they have won since the inaugural season.
Alas Pilipinas ran out of gas in their first match against Thailand, 25-17, 24-26, 20-25, 20-25 on August 1. In their next game against Vietnam, fatigue got to the girls as they succumbed in four sets, 13-25, 21-25, 25-23, 9-25 on August 2.
Luckily, Alas Pilipinas snagged the victory against Indonesia to finish in the podium, 25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-13, on August 3.
Thailand has successfully defended its gold medal after easily winning against Alas Pilipinas and Indonesia. In their last game, Thailand was on the verge of being dethroned as Vietnam won two sets to one. Luckily for the host nation, their composure remained to fend off their opponents, 23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-17, 15-11.
Vietnam once again settled for silver for the sixth consecutive time. Opening the first leg, Vietnam disposed of Indonesia, 25-11, 25-11, 25-22 on August 1, before defeating the Philippines the following day.
Indonesia finished the tournament in fourth place without a win.
Dream Team for Leg 1
Thailand’s Pimpichaya Kokram won the Most Valuable Player award, while Pornpun Guedpard took home the Best Setter award.
Angel Canino of the Philippines and Ajcharaporn Kongyot of Thailand were declared as the Best Outside Spikers, while Thailand’s Thatdao Nuekjang and Vietnam’s Tran Thi Bich Thuy won the Best Middle Blockers plum.
Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen and Nguyen Khanh Dang were awarded as the Best Opposite Spiker and Best Libero, respectively.
Up Next for Alas Pilipinas
Alas Pilipinas will have a five-day break before competing in the second leg of the 2025 SEA Women’s V.League in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, from August 8 to 10.