Alas Pilipinas loses steam vs. Indonesia to open SEA V. League Leg 2 run

Alas Pilipinas Men ran out of steam in a five-set showdown against home team Indonesia, absorbing a 19-25, 25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 8-15 loss to open their campaign at the 2025 SEA V.League Leg 2 on Wednesday. 

The Filipinos made a late run in the fourth set, but faltered in the final frame to go 0-1 in the second leg while the hosts were off to a 1-0 start in front of their home crowd. 

Down 19-23 in the fourth frame, the visiting Filipinos unleashed a 4-0 run capped by a block from the tandem of Steven Rotter and Peng Taguibolos as they cut the deficit to one, 22-23.

Rivan Nurmulki and Hendra Kurniawan then provided the last two points on an attack and block, respectively, to drag the Philippines to a deciding fifth set. 

Fahri Septian Putratrama then single-handedly lifted the two-time SEA V.League gold medalist Indonesia in the fifth frame, scoring three service aces as part of a 5-0 start which he eventually stretched to a 9-3 cushion with an attack. 

The Philippines tried to make some runs with Eco Adajar going for a one-two dunk, but Indonesia quickly answered with a 3-0 blast to mount a 13-5 advantage. 

Jade Disquitado unloaded an ace to close out another desperate 3-0 rampage from the Filipinos, but Putratama finished what he had started as he sealed the victory with an opposite kill and another ace. 

Alas, which settled for a fourth-place finish during Leg 1 in Candon City, will take on Cambodia next on Friday while Indonesia faces Vietnam on Thursday. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News