Alas Pilipinas suffered a tough straight-set loss to host Vietnam in their VTV Cup 2025 opener, despite solid debuts from Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips and a tightly contested match throughout.
Alas Pilipinas came up short in their opening match in the VTV Cup 2025 against host Vietnam, falling in a close straight-set battle, 20-25, 21-25, 21-25, on Sunday, June 29.
The Philippine squad, bannered by the debuting Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, kept it close throughout the match against the Vietnamese, who are fresh off their 2025 AVC Nations Cup victory.
[ALSO READ: Vietnam coach sees Alas Pilipinas as ‘serious contender’ after Finals duel in AVC Nations Cup]
However, Alas Women struggled in the latter part of the frames as the reigning AVC Nations Cup champions relied on the duo of Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen and Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, more commonly known as T4.
In the third set, the Jorge de Brito-led squad managed to keep the game close anew up until the 15-all mark. There, Vietnam snatched three straight points, two of which came as service aces.
Alleiah Malaluan, who also made her national team debut, tried to spark some life into Alas. However, T4 and the hosts just had too much experience and firepower not to let their lead slip away.
Tuyen would seal the victory for Vietnam with an off-the-block attack, which Alas Women could not contain.
Vietnam sits atop Pool A with a 2-0 record, while the Philippines will look to bounce back in their two upcoming games.
Alas Women will be back tomorrow as they face Chinese club Sichuan Wuliangchun, who are coming off a four-set victory against Australia.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | New-look Alas Women look to continue momentum in VTV Cup 2025]