ALAS Pilipinas Men finally got the result it wanted - even if it came a little too late.
The Philippines avoided a winless finish in the opening leg of the 2026 SEA V.Cup by sweeping tournament newcomer Myanmar, 25-21, 28-26, 25-22, on Saturday at the Candon City Arena to salvage fifth place.
READ: Alas Men crash out of SEA V.Cup semis race in loss to Indonesia
It was a modest consolation for Alas Men, who wound up with their worst finish yet after placing fifth in the tournament's expanded six-team field.
The hosts missed out on the inaugural Final Four after pool play losses to Cambodia and Indonesia, marking their first ending outside the top four since the SEA V.Cup expanded to six teams and introduced a semifinal playoff this year.
Alas Men work for win
The result, however, came under less-than-ideal circumstances.
Head coach Angiolino Frigoni was left with a hastily assembled roster featuring more debutants than returning national team players after several core members skipped the home leg.
Those first-timers, led by five-time Spikers’ Turf MVP Jude Garcia and La Salle breakout star Josh Magalaman, emerged as the Filipinos' brightest spots throughout the tournament, prompting Frigoni to openly question the commitment of some established players.
Myanmar came out firing and built a 14-7 lead in the opening set, but Alas Men erased the deficit with a blistering rally to tie the score at 19-all before Josh Magalaman delivered the go-ahead hit and Greg Ancheta finished off the comeback with a block.
The second set turned into another grind as the Burmese side earned the first set point at 24-23, but Axel Van Book and Adrian Villados kept the Philippines alive before captain Lloyd Josafat pounded back-to-back attacks to create two more chances.
A Myanmar attack that sailed wide eventually gave Alas Men the extended frame and a 2-0 cushion.
The debutants refused to go away in the third set, but another late error proved costly as a net touch infraction handed the Philippines the final point to complete the sweep.
Alas Men at least closed out their home campaign on a winning note before turning their attention to the second leg in Jakarta, Indonesia, scheduled from July 22 to 26.
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