At A Glance
- Alas Pilipinas produced a gallant fight before yielding to host Vietnam, 27-29, 17-25, 25-20, 19-25, in the first leg opener of the 2026 Women's SEA V. Cup at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi Friday, July 31.
Alas Pilipinas (Alas Pilipinas Volleyball / Instagram)
Alas Pilipinas produced a gallant fight before yielding to host Vietnam, 27-29, 17-25, 25-20, 19-25, in the first leg opener of the 2026 Women’s SEA V. Cup at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi Friday, July 31.
Team Philippines, led by former National University teammates Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen, showed promise in the extended opening set before taking the third.
However, the ever formidable Vietnam showed why it remains a force to be reckoned with, as star Trần Thị Thanh Thúy (T4) led the comeback to steal the first set before the crowd favorites denied the Filipinas in the fourth to seal the match.
The Nationals look to regain their winning ways when they tangle with Thailand, which is fresh off a 25-21, 32-34, 25-21, 25-19 win over Indonesia, on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the same venue.
Vietnam, on the other hand, tries to make it two in a row against the Indonesians.
The loss extended the long losing streak of the Philippines to Vietnam to 15 – a setback that started in 2019.
It can be remembered that the Jia De Guzman-skippered Alas last won via straight set against the Vietnamese way back Oct. 4, 2019 in the second leg of the competition (then called ASEAN Gran Prix) held in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
With most of the Alas core returning to the field, the Nationals showcased their brilliance early after forcing the formidable Vietnamese to an extended first set.
Despite recovering in the third, the Filipinas couldn't keep up with the hosts who were far more aggressive in the fourth.