Gallant Alas Pilipinas yields to Thailand in SEA V. League Leg 2

The Alas Pilipinas Women strung together a mighty Set 3 turnaround, but faded late to absorb a 22-25, 17-25, 26-24, 16-25 loss to Thailand in Leg  2 of SEA V. League Leg 2 on Saturday in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. 

The Filipinas, who were coming off a straight-sets loss to another Asian powerhouse Vietnam yesterday, overcame an early deficit in the third frame to extend the match but the defending champions Thais pulled away to remain unbeaten at 2-0. 

Down four in Set 3, 17-21, Alas unleashed three unanswered points capped by a Bella Belen attack before Maddie Madayag and Shaina Nitura connived at the net to deny Pimpichaya Kokram and deliver the first set point, 24-23. 

Thailand tied it at 24-all on a Sasipapron Janthawisut back row kill, but Angel Canino displayed her clutch plays after clinching the last two points to drag the eight-time SEA V. League gold medalists to a fourth set. 

Alas kept it close in the fourth with Nitura attacking from the right side for an 8-7 spread, but the Thais went on a tear with Kokram serving an ace to bring the world no. 21 Thailand to a 21-12 cushion. 

Middle blocker Wimonrat Thanapan completed a running play that sent Thailand to a 23-15 lead as another mainstay in Chatchu-on Moksri fired from the left side to clinch the match point, 24-15. 

Thatdao Nuekhang took advantage of an overpass from Justine Jazareno, finishing off the Filipinas as Thailand set up a golden medal duo with Vietnam on Sunday. 

The Philippines, meanwhile, will shoot for a bronze medal when it takes on Indonesia (0-2) tomorrow. A win by Alas will capture the country's fourth straight podium finish in the tournament. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News