Alas Pilipinas made another breakthrough after taking down Indonesia, 25-23, 15-25, 25-23, 25-21, to capture the bronze medal in Leg 1 of the Southeast Asian (SEA) V. League on Sunday night, Aug. 4, in Vietnam. 

Following back-to-back losses against Vietnam and Thailand, the Philippines was determined to make its final appearance in the first leg count with a victory marked by promising progress since Alas’ composition barely three months earlier. 

Jorge de Brito leaned on debuting Alyssa Solomon's offensive might as she finished with a team-best 20 points all on attacks made to solidify her place in the national team that saw her initially beg off due to a minor knee injury at the conclusion of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball. 

PVL players Dell Palomata and Eya Laure played their parts with a combined 27-point performance highlighted by five blocks each. 

In a total display of balanced effort, Vanie Gandler and Thea Gagate added 12 points each which was enough to help outpace Vietnam's Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen, who delivered a game-high 27 points in the losing cause. 

It is also the second bronze finish for Alas Pilipinas under de Brito’s tenure after previously leading the squad to a historic AVC Women’s Challenge Cup podium finish which the Philippines hosted last May. 

In celebration of firsts, it also marked the Philippines’ first time defeating Indonesia in the competition since its inception in 2019 when it was formerly known as the ASEAN Grand Prix. 

Dawn Macandili, who was hailed as the Second Leg’s Best Libero of the tournament in its inauguration, continued to lend her meaningful services to the national team five years later as the Philippines’ starting libero. 

There, PLDT’s Majoy Baron was named back-to-back Best Middle Blocker following a stellar performance that also saw her steer the Philippines to a second runner-up finish. 

The Philippines will resume action for Leg 2 in Thailand on Aug. 9 to 11 where it seeks an even better finish, only needing to get Vietnam off its back for a potential silver medal along with sustained dominance against Indonesia. 

Thailand is poised to take its fifth straight championship victory after ruling the competition with such ease.