Alas Pilipinas Women protected their spot at the podium when they tangled with Indonesia anew in Leg 2 of the 5th SEA V.League.
Alas Pilipinas Women weathered a late Indonesia surge to hammer out a 25-17, 25-17, 28-26 win to cop the bronze in the second leg of the 5th SEA V.League Sunday, Aug. 10.
Alas' lone win in Leg 2 allowed the Nationals to come up with the bronze medal anew at the Ninh Binh Gymnasium in Vietnam, just a week after their podium finish against the same foe in Thailand.
This is their fourth straight third-place finish in the tournament.
[RELATED STORY: Alas Pilipinas Women break through vs Indonesia, claim bronze in 5th SEA V.League Leg 1]
Alas leaned on Eya Laure and Bella Belen in the fourth set as the Filipinas overhauled a 9-13 disadvantage.
In Leg 1, the Filipinas gave up Set 3 against the Indonesians before getting the job done in the fourth to secure their spot at the podium.
Alas made sure that there will be no extension this time.
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Laure kept the Filipinas in step, before Belen dropped three crucial points and Angel Canino blocked Ersandrina Devega's attempt to put them at second match point, 27-26.
Devega then soared for a down-the-line hit against Dell Palomata and Canino that sailed off, but was ruled as a block touch.
Fortunately for Alas, officials reversed the call after a challenge and the Filipinas finally sealed the sweep.
In the opening frame, Alas raced off to a fiery 17-10 start before Alyssa Solomon seemingly hurt her right knee as she went for a pancake save.
Solomon did not return to the game, but her teammates sustained their fine form and went on to win the frame, where the Filipinos scored off five service aces.
In the second set, the Alas Women felt Solomon’s absence early on, with the Indonesians taking an 8-7 lead at the first technical timeout.
Alas, however, countered on a 10-2 tear for a commanding 17-10 lead capped by a Canino hit.
The Alas Women win ushered in the gold medal match between host team Vietnam and Thailand, which is going for a ninth SEA V.League title.
Match kicks off at 8 p.m.