Alas Pilipinas Falls to Indonesia, Misses Podium at SEA V Cup Leg 1
AI-assisted original article by 1news, based on reporting from INQUIRER.net. Featured image credited to the source.
The Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team failed to secure a medal at the 2026 SEA V Cup Leg 1 after a four-set loss to Indonesia on Sunday at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam. The final score read 25-20, 19-25, 22-25, 16-25, marking the first time since 2023 that the Filipino squad missed the podium in this regional tournament.
The Filipino spikers started strong, taking the first set with momentum fueled by a 5-0 run sparked by middle blocker Niña Ytang, who scored three consecutive points to overturn a 14-16 deficit into a 19-16 lead. Dell Palomata sealed the set for Alas Pilipinas, giving them an early advantage. However, the team was unable to maintain this momentum in the subsequent sets.
Indonesia’s quartet of Chelsa Nurtomo, Arsela Nuari Purnama, Rara Maradanti, and Medi Yoku proved pivotal in turning the match around. Their collective efforts ended Indonesia’s 14-game losing streak in the SEA V Cup, which included recent defeats to Thailand and Vietnam during the tournament. This victory also avenged Indonesia’s loss to the Philippines in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games bronze medal match last December.
In the fourth set, Alyssa Solomon attempted to rally the Filipino team, but Indonesia’s dominance at the net allowed them to build an 18-13 lead. Bella Belen managed to reduce the deficit to 16-20, but Nurtomo’s timely plays secured three of Indonesia’s five consecutive points, clinching the bronze medal for her team.
Despite the loss, Alas Pilipinas showed resilience in their matches against regional powerhouses Thailand and Vietnam. This tournament marked the debut of Japanese coach Taka Minowa and the return of key players, including Jia De Guzman, who had previously sat out the AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City last June.
The team’s core leaders—Belen, Solomon, and Eya Laure—continued to spearhead the offense, while De Guzman effectively utilized middle blockers Ytang and Palomata to challenge opponents at the net. Their efforts kept the matches competitive, though ultimately fell short of securing a podium finish.
Looking ahead, Alas Pilipinas is set to compete in the second leg of the SEA V Cup from August 7 to 9 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The team will use this opportunity to regroup and prepare for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan this September, aiming to improve their performance and reclaim their standing in the regional volleyball scene.