Alas Pilipinas Men outlast Cambodia in five-set showdown for second SEA V. League win

The Alas Pilipinas Men team displayed composure and resilience to overcome a determined Cambodian squad in a grueling five-set duel, 25-21, 25-27, 32-30, 23-25, 15-8, to bounce back in the 2025 SEA V. League on Saturday in Candon City. 

The National University quartet of Jade Disquitado, Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, and Peng Taguibolos carried the fight for the Philippines as the hosts improved to 2-1 in Leg 1 while the visiting Cambodia remained winless at 0-3.

READ MORE | Alas Pilipinas Men at the SEA V.League in Candon City

Disquitado led the charge with 24 points anchored on 21 attacks, two blocks, and one ace while Ordiales and Buddin supplied the help with 22 and 19 markers apiece. 

Middle blocker Taguibolos chipped in 10 points while his senior Lloyd Josafat churned out 12 markers in the match that lasted for almost three hours. 

On the verge of dropping Set 3, the Filipinos showed grit with Disquitado unleashing a strong bullet from the left side before veteran setter Owa Retamar single-handedly denied Soeurn Heng to rule an extended frame at 32-30. 

But the world no. 71 Cambodia refused to back down with Thy Menghuong fueling a 5-0 run that turned a 15-17 deficit to a 20-17 lead for them. Phol Ratanak then punished Alas with a quick kill, dragging the Philippines to a deciding set. 

A regrouped Alas then opened the final frame with a 4-1 start before Disquitado extended that to a 6-2 lead. The Filipinos never took their foot off the gas pedal with Buddin and Josafat instigating a telling 5-3 rampage for an 11-5 cushion. 

Taguibolos sent Alas to a 14-8 match point off a quick play before Ratanak went wide on his own quick attack as the Filipinos bounced back from defeat in their most recent game.

The Philippines won its opening game against Vietnam last Wednesday before absorbing a straight-sets loss to Thailand on Thursday.

Alas will shoot for a podium finish on Sunday when it takes on Indonesia at 6 p.m. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News