ALAS Pilipinas threatened an upset before yielding to seven-time defending champion Thailand, 25-17, 24-26, 20-25, 20-25, in the 5th SEA V.League on Friday.
READ: All you need to know about Alas Pilipinas' battle in SEA V.League
The Thais extend their all-time unbeaten run in the tournament to 22 in a row, but not after dropping the opening set to the plucky Filipinas on home turf.
The Thais have not lost a single game in the regional meet’s six-year run, making them undisputed champions for over half a decade.
The Philippines has not beaten Thailand in international play in 32 years, or since the 1993 SEA Games women’s volleyball gold medal match.
Almost but not quite for Alas
Alas stormed to a quick 7-3 start in the first set, with Eya Laure and the returning Alyssa Solomon overwhelming the hosts on offense early on.
It was an early cushion that ballooned to a seven-point lead en route to a first-ever SEA VL set win over Thailand in six years.
Entering unfamiliar territory sans multi-awarded veteran spiker Chatchu-on Moksri, the Thais struck back in the second frame with an early lead of their own before Alas drew level at 19-all.
The Philippines even reached set point first, 24-23, only to concede three straight points to the champions. An unsuccessful ball in-ball out challenge gave Thailand the match lead at two sets to one.
The hosts had Alas’ number from there, firing a 9-1 blitz to start the third frame since fielding their superstar trio in Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Pimpichaya Kokram and Piyanut Pannoy altogether.
It proved to be a winning combination that paved the way for Thailand to close their home leg opener out in four close sets.
Alas returns to action on Saturday to keep its podium bid alive against a familiar tormentor in Vietnam, 2:30 p.m. Manila time.
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