Thailand isn’t just a formidable foe. It is, along with Vietnam, the yardstick of Southeast Asia (SEA) in volleyball—and ofthe 2025 SEA V.League. So, beating this regional powerhouse would be no easy feat.
Alas Pilipinas Women found that out the hard way, though not without giving a gallant stand against the Thais. Jorge de Brito and his merry band of volleybelles may have lost, 25-17, 24-26, 20-25, 20-25, to powerhouse Thailand in the opening leg of the 2025 SEA V.League on Friday evening at the Ninh Binh Gymnasium in Vietnam, but they certainly pushed the seven-time champs from the opening serve to the final whistle.
In fact, Alas Pilipinas looked poised for an opening-day shocker, opening up the match with a thunderous 25-17 victory in the first frame led by led by young standouts Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Angel Canino. All three were vital cogs in the Philippines’ silver-medal finish at the AVC Women’s Nations Cup last June but rested during the 2025 VTV Cup, where the team placed fourth. They then marked their return with a bang by leading Alas Pilipinas early and often against the Thais.
Thailand Recovers, Alas Fights Back
Thailand quickly regrouped in the second set zooming to a 17-13 lead to seemingly restore order. But Alas Pilipinas fought back behind Solomon, Canino, and Eya Laure, who powered the nationals to set point, 24-23. Unfortunately for Alas, Solomon herself committed two crucial errors that allowed the Thais to steal the second frame in the end.
The third and fourth set followed that same pattern: Thailand starting out strong, the Philippines fighting back, and the Thais stamping their will in the end. This was exactly how the third frame played out, with Thailand racing out to an early 9-1 lead and Alas threatening late at 21-20. But Thailand had an answer in veteran setter Pornpun Guedpard, who scored three of her squad’s final four points in the third set—a block on Vanie Gandler and a pair of 1-2 plays she herself finished.
The fourth and final frame played out the same way, with Alas threatening at 20-19 after falling behind 20-16. However, two errors by Alas—one from Solomon and one from Leila Cruz—and attacking plays by Thailand captain Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Hattaya Bamrungsuk, and Warisara Seetaloed sealed the match for the Thais.
Losing Streak Continues as 2025 SEA V.League Campaign Gets Even Harder
Alas’ heartbreaking loss was the Philippines’ 22nd straight defeat to the Thais in international competition dating back to 1993. Worse, the country’s 2025 SEA V.League campaign won’t get any easier as the nationals are next scheduled to face another powerhouse in Vietnam at 2:30 p.m. today, Saturday, at the same venue.
Vietnam is coming off a dominant 25-11, 25-11, 25-22 sweep of Indonesia to open its 2025 SEA V.League campaign and is on top of the standings with the Thais.
