ALAS Pilipinas surged past Indonesia, 25-17, 25-17, 28-26, to secure third place once again in Leg 2 of the 5th SEA V.League on Sunday in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
The Philippines now has four bronze medals from the last four legs of the regional meet since last year, raising their total medal haul to six since the tournament's inception in 2019.
All four podium finishes in the last two years came at Indonesia’s expense on the final match day after two losses to Vietnam and eight-time defending champion Thailand.
Alas also made it five victories in succession against the Indonesians since the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women in Manila, where the Philippines also won bronze.
The straight-sets win secures the Nationals’ 21st all-time podium finish in international play and 11th bronze medal.
It took two match points in an extended third set for Alas to put its perennial rivals away, sealed by a successful block touch challenge on Ersandrina Devega Salsabila's attack that sailed out.
Bittersweeet bronze for Alas
Dampening another medal win was Alyssa Solomon’s early exit from the battle for third since hurting her left knee in a dig attempt at the 17-11 mark in Set 1.
Solomon had to be stretchered off the court but was subsequently able to return on her feet to the Alas bench.
As a matter of caution, she was sidelined for the remainder of the match with Shaina Nitura and Angel Canino taking turns as the Nationals’ de facto opposite hitter.
Bella Belen also stepped up on offense in the last two sets in her natural position as an outside hitter in lieu of Nitura and Canino's positional switch-ups.
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