By MARL REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas’ preparedness will be put to a big test right away when it faces regional powerhouse and host Thailand on the opening day of the 2025 Southeast Asia (SEA) Women’s V.League Leg 1 on Friday, Aug. 1, in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Almost four weeks since their last international stint that saw them finish fourth in VTV Cup, the No. 47 Nationals are in for a rough sailing against a team ranked No. 20 in the world and a perennial SEA Games champion.
The Nationals are not promising the moon and the stars but expect them to grind out as hard as possible in their 5 p.m. showdown in hopes of pulling off a massive win this time around. Equally exciting is the 1:30 p.m. duel between No. 27 Vietnam and No. 50 Indonesia.
This would mark the start of the two-leg event with Ninh Bình, Vietnam the second part on Aug. 8 to 10.
Leading the pack is seasoned setter Jia De Guzman who will anchor the team’s offense, what with prolific hitters by her side that include rising stars Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Angel Canino, Shai Nitura and Clas Loresco.
Backing up De Guzman is Mars Alba, and suiting up as the liberos are national team mainstay Dawn Catindig and Justine Nazareno, while Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Fifi Sharma, Maddie Madayag, Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, and Dell Palomata will be there to provide the additional firepower.
The last time Alas Pilipinas won over a Thai squad was early last month in the VTV Cup, beating Est Cola (Thai U21) in straight sets.
But against Thailand’s senior squad, it’s going to be a different story. It’s going to be a battle of wills.
It’s a war everybody wants to witness — even the Thai fans – all aware of the Philippines’ growing stature in the region.
Thai elite players like Chatchu-on Moksri, Ajcharaporn Kongyot, and Pimpichaya Kokram are expected to showcase the form that earned them lucrative contracts playing in other countries.
