ALAS Pilipinas gave it a proper go but just couldn’t get past host nation Vietnam, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, in the 2024 SEA V.League on Friday in Vinh Phúc, Vietnam.
Unlike any other Philippine team in recent years, Alas went toe-to-toe with the regional power in four closely-contested sets where they were even able to take the second frame behind a masterful 8-1 run.
Nguyen, T4 show way
But the unassailable one-two punch of Nguyen Thi Bích Tuyen (27 points) and star skipper Tranh Thi Tanh Thuy (six points) proved too much and too good for a sharper-looking Alas side.
Alyssa Solomon made the strongest first impression as she took over on the scoring front with 21 points built on 20 attacks and one block.
It didn’t take long for the reigning SEA V.League best opposite spiker to find her groove as she fired eight attacks off the bat in a narrow first-set loss.
READ: Alas places Galanza, Nunag on reserve for SEA V. League Leg 1
From there, Solomon had Eya Laure for company as she converted three of her five kill blocks in Alas’ set-clinching 8-1 run in the second frame.
She’d go on to score 13 points in her first game back for Alas after skipping the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup last month.
Even as a middle blocker, Dell Palomata was a revelation on offense with 14 markers on nine attacks and a joint game-high five blocks.
And in a night where Sisi Rondina was sparingly used and had just three markers, Vanie Gandler also stepped up to the plate and produced a strong 12-point performance to take charge of the outside hitter position with Laure.
Two-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen, in only her second-ever outing for Alas, came off the bench and had a rare off-night with just one point to her name.
In less than a day’s time, Alas looks to build on an encouraging start in a tall order against world No. 14 and five-time defending champion Thailand at 5 p.m., Philippine time.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
