By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas received a rude welcome on the opening day of the 5th SEA Women’s V.League Leg 2 after absorbing a 25-14, 30-28, 25-22 loss to host Vietnam at the Ninh Bình Gymnasium Friday evening, Aug. 8.
After a lackluster first set, the Nationals showed resistance in the next two frames where rising stars Shai Nitura, Cla Loresco and Alyssa Solomon carried the load with their respective hits.
But their efforts ultimately went down the drain as the gritty Vietnamese side always found their way to deny the Filipina hitters even with superstars Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, who conspired for 24 points, sitting out in the third canto.
The Nationals tried to bounce back when it challenges reigning champion Thailand on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the same arena.
Nitura played her best ever game as an Alas member after pouring in 16 points, while Vanie Gandler and Loresco contributed eight and six points, respectively.
It was a disastrous outing for the Jia De Guzman-led crew in the first minutes of the match, but the Nationals regained their bearings in the second where Nitura and Loresco showed glimpses of potential with their powerful hits that gave the Vietnamese a mighty scare.
Solomon then took over for the Nationals after firing back-to-back off-the-block shots to give the Philippines a 26-25 lead. That second-set marathon, unfortunately, led to Bich Tuyen’s ire and saved the day of Vietnam.
The third period was similar from the prior set as the Filipinas went on a late surge but fell short again.
Earlier, the formidable Thais handed the Indonesians a 25-16, 25-16, 25-21 beating to start their title defense campaign.
