ALAS Pilipinas Women stood on the doorstep of a breakthrough win against Thailand before the regional powerhouse escaped with a five-set victory in Leg 1 of the 6th SEA V.Cup on Saturday.
The Philippines pushed the mighty Thais to the brink in arguably their best showing against their Southeast Asian tormentors in recent memory, but could not complete the herculean upset, 17-25, 25-19, 15-25, 25-18, 10-15.
READ: Alas Women show promise in SEA V.Cup opener loss to Vietnam
Twice, Alas Women stared down a one-set deficit. Twice, they answered.
The Nationals bounced back from a rough opening frame dominated by Thai star spiker Sasipaporn Janthawisut, mounting a second-set response before refusing to fold when Thailand struck back in the third.
Key tactical changes helped Alas Women force a decider with a 25-18 fourth-set win, as Eya Laure and Niña Ytang provided a spark off the bench. Ytang, however, was forced to exit late in the fifth holding her left calf after an awkward landing on a block attempt.
The Philippines briefly seized a 5-4 lead in the decider, moving within touching distance of a result that would have sent shockwaves around the region.
Then Ajcharaporn Kongyot came off the bench and took over.
The veteran Thai winger almost single-handedly erased the early Philippine lead, fueled by Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, with seven points in the tiebreak alone that swung the decider in Thailand's favor.
And once the Thais seized control, their vaunted running attack became their biggest weapon down the stretch, repeatedly beating the Philippine defense to keep Alas Women from mounting one last response.
It proved to be the final hurdle the Nationals could not clear after going tooth-and-nail with a Thai side that has long set the standard in Southeast Asian women's volleyball.
Eyeing a strong finish
But there will be no gold medal for the Philippines in Leg 1.
The defeat dropped Alas Women to two losses in the four-team, single round-robin competition, officially taking them out of contention for the top prize.
A Vietnam victory later Saturday would leave the Philippines' final assignment against Indonesia as a virtual battle for bronze.
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