20-07-2025
Alas Pilipinas Men fumble against Vietnam to finish 4th in SEA V.League Leg 2
Alas Pilipinas Men finished outside the podium again as they absorbed a 23-25, 25-21, 17-25, 15-22 loss to Vietnam to close out their campaign in SEA V. League Leg 2 on Sunday in Indonesia.
The Filipinos made a gallant Set 2 win, but succumbed in the endgame following a massive closing run from the Vietnamese.
The Philippines ended its campaign at the fourth spot with a 1-3 card while Vietnam is already assured of at least a bronze medal with a 3-1 record.
Alas kept Vietnam at bay early in the fourth with rising power opposite hitter Leo Ordiales scoring back-to-back points on an attack and block to send the Philippines to a slim 8-7 lead.
Vietnam, however, slowly established a separation when Thanh Hai Nguyen and Ngoc Thuan Nguyen brought Vietnam to a 12-9 cushion. The world no. 61 Vietnam then followed it with a 4-3 rampage capped by an attack error from Jade Disquitado as they zoomed to a 16-12 lead.
Peng Taguibolos' quick play saw the Philippines pulling to within four, 14-18, but Vietnam rode on a strong close-out act with Thanh Hai Nguyen unleashing another kill from the middle to send them to the match point, 24-15.
Hiep Pham punctuated Vietnam's commanding fourth-set display with a sharp push from the right side, leaving the Philippines defense in disarray.
Later, host Indonesia and three-time gold medalist Thailand will duke it out for the top spot. Currently, the Indonesians are unbeaten with a 3-0 card while the Thais hold a 2-1 slate.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
