Alas Pilipinas stay in the running for a gold medal in 2025 SEA V.League Leg 1 despite some setbacks against Cambodia.
CANDON, ILOCOS SUR — Alas Pilipinas kept their hopes for a gold medal alive despite dropping a set against Cambodia, winning in five sets at the Candon City Arena, 25-21, 25-27, 32-30, 23-25, 15-8 in the SEA V.League on Saturday.
The Philippines can still chase the top step of the podium but will need to sweep Indonesia in their last game on Sunday and hope Cambodia can push Thailand to five sets in the match prior.
The Philippines’ gold medal hopes first dwindled when they lost an extended Set 2, 25-27, which meant that their fate was already out of their hands. The implications seemingly affected Alas when they started flat in Set 3.
But Jade Disquitado took over for Alas in the pivotal Set 3 when he went on a personal scoring run late to finish with a whopping 15 points in just the third set, including a point that sent Alas to its eight set point, 31-30, before returning setter Owa Retamar scored on a single kill block to gain the 2-1 advantage.
After failing to close out Cambodia in Set 4, Alas started strong in the deciding set, taking a 7-3 lead after a Lloyd Josafat attack. While back-to-back points for Voeurn Veasna kept Cambodia within striking distance, crucial errors kept Alas ahead.
A 6-1 run buoyed by Buds Buddin, Josafat, and Disquitado gave the home team a comfortable 13-6 cushion that kept Cambodia at bay as Alas held on for the victory.
Disquitado had a game-high 24 points while Ordiales added 22 markers. Buddin also chipped in with his 19 points.
Veasna led the challenge for Cambodia in the losing effort with 21 points.
Cambodia plays their last game against Thailand on Sunday, 3 p.m., which will have implications on the Philippines’ final standing while Alas closes the tournament against Indonesia at 6 p.m..