After taking a dominant 2-0 lead, Alas Pilipinas fell victim to a reverse sweep against Thailand in Leg 2 of the SEA V.League.
Alas Pilipinas fell victim to a reverse sweep against Thailand as the Leg 1 champions bounced back with a win over the Philippines, 18-25, 18-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-7, in the 5th SEA V.League Leg 2 at the Jakarta International Velodrome on Saturday.
After seemingly poised for a revenge game against the Thais, Alas just couldn’t get things going when momentum shifted heading into the winner-take-all fifth set.
In Set 5, Alas was within a point after an attack error from Thailand, 5-6. But net defense proved wonders for the Thais as they continuously shut the door on the Filipino spikers in the deciding canto, dropping the Philippines to 1-2 in the second leg.
The Philippines squandered a 2-0 set lead when they allowed Thailand to build a sizeable lead in Set 3.
From leading just by one, 10-9, Alas allowed Thailand to go on a blistering 9-2 run that gave them the 19-11 lead late in the third set.
With momentum on their side, they cruised to extend the match, 25-14.
Then in Set 4, an Alas comeback fell short as they fought to get within one after trailing late, 20-23, thanks to a quick 3-1 burst that got them hot on the Thais’ trail, 23-24. But Nilsawai Kissada, who has been consistent for the Thais since the first leg, finished the job to force it to Set 5.
The Philippines will hope to win their final match against Vietnam, and lean on the results of other matchups to hopefully chase a podium finish in Leg 2.