
Alas Pilipinas in the SEA V.League Leg 2 in Vietnam. –SAVA PHOTO
Alas Pilipinas suffered a tough sweep against host Vietnam, 25-14, 30-28, 25-22, to open its campaign in the SEA V.League Leg 2 on a losing note on Friday.
The Filipino Spikers had their chances, especially in the second set, where they squandered the lead and three set points as the Vietnamese proved steadier down the stretch.
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Recovering from a lousy first set, Alas Pilipinas came alive in Set 2 behind Shaina Nitura and Vanie Gandler for an 18-14 lead.
But the Vietnamese went on a 7-2 run to take the lead, 21-20, before Alyssa Solomon put the Filipinos on the brink of tying the game with three straight points.
Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen then stepped up and put her team at set point, 29-28, before Cla Loresco’s hit sailed out that let the Vietnamese take a 2-0 lead.
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While Vietnam carried the momentum into the third set with a 16-9 start, Alas managed to tie the game at 21 before a 4-1 spurt sealed the final score for the home bets.
Alas Pilipinas has now lost four straight games to Vietnam, including a four-set heartbreaker in Leg 1 in Thailand last week.
The visiting Filipinos, looking for another podium finish after a bronze medal in Leg 1, face a formidable Thailand side on Saturday.