Alas Pilipinas misses out on SEA V Cup medal after loss to Indonesia
Alas Pilipinas women huddle during a timeout in the SEA V Cup Leg 1 in Vietnam.–SAVA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas women missed out on the podium for the first time since 2023 after absorbing a 25-20, 19-25, 22-25, 16-25 defeat to Indonesia in the SEA V Cup Leg 1 on Sunday at Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Filipino spikers couldn’t capitalize on their strong start, failing to stop the quartet of Chelsa Nurtomo, Arsela Nuari Purnama, Rara Maradanti, and Medi Yoku, who brought back Indonesia to the podium after futile campaigns in the last four editions.
Indonesia snapped a 14-game losing streak in the tournament, including losses to Thailand and Vietnam this week.
READ: Alas Pilipinas falls to Thailand in five-set battle at SEA V Cup
Alyssa Solomon tried to spark Alas in the fourth, but the Indonesians imposed their will at the net to mount an 18-13 lead. Bella Belen stopped the bleeding to cut it down to 16-20, but Nurtomo took matters into her own hands and nailed the timely blows to score three of their five straight points for the bronze.
Alas ended up winless in three games in the tournament for the first time since 2023, losing to the same team that broke its hearts in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games bronze medal game last December.
But they managed to put up a gallant stand against powerhouse Thailand and Vietnam in Japanese coach Taka Minowa’s debut and the return of the Alas core, led by Jia De Guzman, since they begged off in the AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City last June.
READ: Alas Pilipinas starts training under Taka Minowa
Belen, Solomon, and Eya Laure led the Philippines anew, while De Guzman also utilized her middle blockers Niña Ytang and Dell Palomata.
In the first set, Ytang sparked Alas’ 5-0 run with three consecutive points to turn a 14-16 deficit into a 19-16 lead. Palomata put on the finishing touches to draw first blood, only to lose momentum in the last three.
Alas will play in Leg 2 in Thailand from August 7 to 9, as it continues to prepare for the Asian Games in Japan in September.
