Alas Pilipinas put up a spirited fight but came up short against defending champion Vietnam, absorbing a 27-29, 17-25, 25-20, 19-25 defeat to begin its 2026 SEA V Cup campaign on Friday at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi.
The Filipinas showed resilience after dropping the first two sets, capitalizing on Vietnam’s lineup adjustment in the third to extend the match. However, the hosts regained control in the fourth behind the return of star outside hitter Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who sparked a decisive run that put the match out of reach.
Holding a slim 14-10 lead in the fourth set, Vietnam erupted for a 9-1 surge led by Thanh Thuy to build a commanding 19-11 advantage.
Alas Pilipinas continued to battle until the final whistle, trimming the deficit with a late 4-1 run behind Bella Belen and Thea Gagate to make it 24-19. But Tran Thi Bich Thuy delivered the match-clinching running attack to secure Vietnam’s opening-day victory.
Alas Pilipinas’ Spirited Effort
The Philippines nearly stole the opening set after pushing Vietnam to an extended battle.
Back-to-back attacks from Erika Santos and Bella Belen gave Alas Pilipinas the first set point at 24-23, but Nguyen Thi Uyen answered with a cross-court hit to extend the frame. Dell Palomata restored the Filipinas’ advantage moments later, yet Vietnam responded once more before closing the set with consecutive points, highlighted by a quick attack from Tran Thi Bich Thuy and a block by Thanh Thuy on Alyssa Solomon.
Vietnam carried that momentum into the second set, breaking away midway through the frame before cruising to a comfortable win behind an efficient offensive performance and minimal unforced errors.
Philippines Get a Set
With Thanh Thuy resting in the third, Alas Pilipinas seized the opportunity.
Trailing by just two points late in the set, the Filipinas strung together a decisive 4-0 run behind Belen to stretch the lead to 22-16. Belen later capped off the frame as Alas forced a fourth set and briefly swung the momentum in its favor.
Vietnam, however, quickly reasserted itself in the fourth with Thanh Thuy back on the floor, preventing the Philippines from completing a comeback.
Alas Pilipinas returns to action on Saturday against Thailand at 5 p.m., looking to bounce back and stay in contention in the four-team tournament.
