By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas gave reigning champion Thailand a scare before yielding, 25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 25-16, to remain winless in the 5th SEA Women’s V.League Leg 2 at the Ninh Bình Gymnasium in Vietnam Saturday evening, Aug. 9.
Similar to their duel in Leg 1, the Nationals gave their all and managed to take the third frame.
But the celebration of their supporters was shortlived
as the Thais countered in the fourth to seal the match.
The last time that two faced off was in the competition’s first leg where Alas managed to score a breakthrough set win over Thailand earlier this month.
With their second straight defeat, the Filipina hitters must prevail against fellow win-less Indonesia this Sunday, Aug. 10, at the same venue to secure a podium finish.
Indonesia, meanwhile, suffered a 25-20, 25-19, 25-20 loss to Vietnam. That resulted in another gold-medal dispute for the Thais and the Vietnamese.
And a win over the Indonesians could give the Philippines its fourth consecutive bronze in the annual regional joust.
