ALAS Pilipinas saved its best for last, pulling off a 20-25, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 15-10 fightback against Indonesia to salvage the bronze medal in Leg 2 of the 2024 SEA V.League on Sunday in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
READ: Alas relegated to bronze medal match anew in SEA V.League Leg 2
Alyssa Solomon and Sisi Rondina proved to be a lethal one-two punch on offense with 25 and 18 points, respectively, helping the Philippines battle back after trailing twice in the match.
Alas newcomer Jema Galanza saved the nationals’ fading medal hopes from 1-2 down with eight of her 14 points in the fourth set as the Philippines reached the podium for the second straight leg.
Comeback is real for Alas
Even as Indonesia conceded nine faults in the opening frame, Alas still couldn't take advantage as star spiker Megawati Pertiwi willed her side to an early advantage.
The Philippines’ own array of stars would then take turns in righting Alas’ ship to keep hold of what is now the country’s fourth medal in the competition’s five-year run.
Rondina was first to step up to the plate with a 10-point blast in Set 2 to draw level at one set apiece, followed by Galanza in the fourth frame with nine markers to force sudden death for the last podium spot.
Solomon went on to land the finishing blow in the fifth set with four attacks, including the game-winning kill.
Taft’s defensive fortresses in Fifi Sharma (four attacks and two blocks) and reigning SEA V.League best middle blocker Thea Gagate (three attacks and two blocks) racked up Alas’ third bronze medal haul in as many tournaments since May.
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