Alas Pilipinas Women missed out on a podium finish in the first leg of the 2026 SEA Women’s V Cup after falling to Indonesia, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-16, on Sunday at Dong Anh Gymnasium in Vietnam.
The defeat snapped Alas Pilipinas’ four-year run of bronze medal finishes in the SEA V Cup.
The Philippines appeared headed for a fifth-set showdown after keeping the fourth frame close early on, but Indonesia pulled away with a decisive 12-3 finishing run from a 13-all deadlock.
Bella Belen scored off the block to trim the deficit to 20-15, but it proved to be Alas Pilipinas’ final point of the match. Indonesia answered with five unanswered points, capped by a block on Belen to secure the victory.
Strong Start for Alas Pilipinas
Alas Pilipinas came out strong in the opening set, relying on its middle blockers to dictate the pace.
Niña Ytang ignited a pivotal 4-0 run with three points to turn a one-point deficit into a 22-19 lead before Dell Palomata delivered three of the team’s final five points to help the Filipinas draw first blood.
Indonesia responded in the second set, capitalizing on its improved attacking and floor defense to level the match before carrying its momentum into the third.
With the score still within reach, Arsela Nuari Purnama, Ersandrina Devega, and Rara Maradanti combined for a crucial 4-0 run that stretched Indonesia’s lead to 22-17, allowing the Indonesians to move within a set of the bronze medal.
Indonesia Finishes the Job
Indonesia maintained its momentum in the fourth set to complete the comeback victory, snapping a four-match SEA V Cup losing streak against the Philippines.
Thailand captured the first-leg title, Vietnam settled for silver, while Alyssa Solomon was named Best Opposite Spiker.
Alas Pilipinas will look to bounce back in the second leg of the SEA V Cup, which begins on August 7 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Filipinas open their campaign against host Thailand at 4:30 p.m. (Manila time).
