Alas Pilipinas Women put up a valiant fight but fell short against eight-time defending champions Thailand, losing 22-25, 17-25, 26-24, 16-25 in the 2025 SEA V.League Second Leg at the Ninh Binh Gymnasium in Vietnam on Saturday evening, ending their bid for the gold medal.
With the loss, the Philippines now shifts focus to clinching the bronze medal for the fourth consecutive time in the regional tournament when they face Indonesia tomorrow at 5 p.m. (Manila time).
Meanwhile, Thailand and host nation Vietnam, both undefeated at 2-0, will meet in the gold medal match at 8 p.m.
Seeking a spark, Alas turned to bench players Shaina Nitura, Capital1's Bella Belen, Akari's Mars Alba, Clarisse Loresco, and Choco Mucho's Maddie Madayag to start the third set, and they fought valiantly.
Thailand’s star quartet of Pimpichaya Kokram, Sasipapron Janthawisut, Kuttika Kaewpin, and Wimonrat Thanaphan built a 21-17 lead on a 5-1 run, but the Nationals never lost their courage.
Loresco, Belen, and Angel Canino combined to bring Alas to set point at 24-23, sparked by a Nitura block on Kaewpin.
Janthawisut extended the set with a back-row hit, but Canino responded with a crosscourt kill and a solid block on Thanaphan to secure a 26-24 third set win.
The reigning champs answered strongly in the fourth set, with Kokram, Chachu-on Moksri, and Thanaphan leading a decisive 9-2 run midway to close out the match, 25-16.
