Alas Pilipinas ends drought vs Vietnam, keeps medal hopes alive

MANILA, Philippines–Alas Pilipinas Women stayed in the medal hunt in the SEA V Cup Leg 2 after ending a seven-year losing streak to defending champion Vietnam, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, on Saturday at Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.

The Philippines finally got over the hump against Vietnam, a team it had not beaten since the 2019 edition of the tournament and in previous AVC Women’s Cup tournaments.

The victory also kept alive the Filipinos’ hopes of returning to the podium after their four-straight bronze medal streak ended last week in Hanoi.

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Eya Laure played her best game of the tournament so far, dazzling with 22 points from 19 kills, two blocks and an ace.

The Choco Mucho star came to the rescue after the Philippines blew a 19-13 lead in the fourth set, with Pham Quynh Huong delivering big hits to tie the game at 22.

Bella Belen stopped the bleeding with a clutch kill before Laure sent the Philippines to match point, 24-22, with an off-the-block hit.

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Laure then found the perfect timing to block Tran Thi Thanh Thuy for the game winner, giving the Philippines a 1-1 record and a chance to return to the podium with a win over Indonesia on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Interestingly, Laure was a rookie when the Philippines beat Vietnam in the 2019 SEA V Cup, formerly known as ASEAN Grand Prix, in two legs in Thailand and Laguna. Current Alas seniors Jia De Guzman and Dawn Catindig were also part of that team.

Leg 1 Best Opposite Hitter Alyssa Solomon delivered 17 points, while her National University teammate Belen had 16, highlighted by three blocks. De Guzman also helped spread the offense as the Philippines snapped an eight-game losing streak to Vietnam in the SEA V Cup.

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Thea Gagate also stepped up with six kill blocks to finish with 10 points, while Dell Palomata had four blocks to finish with nine points, with the team tallying 15 kill blocks.

The Filipino spikers held as many as an 18-9 lead in the third set, with Belen, Laure, Solomon and Gagate delivering the goods. But Thuy cut the deficit to three, 23-20, before Laure and Belen closed out the set to give the Philippines a 2-1 match advantage.

Thuy topscored with 25 points. Huong had 14, while Tran Thi Bich Thuy added 12 only to drop to 0-2 in the tournament before facing Leg 1 champion Thailand on Sunday.