MANILA – The Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team pulled off a 25-23, 15-25, 25-23, 25-21 stunner against Indonesia to finish with a bronze medal in the SEA V.League leg 1 on Sunday night in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.
Alyssa Solomon led the way for the Philippine side with 16 points, Eya Laure and Cherry Rondina added 13 markers apiece, and Thea Gagate contributed 10 markers in the win.
This was the Jorge Edson Souza de Brito-led Philippine squad’s first-ever SEA V.League victory after going winless in six matches last year.
Alas Pilipinas Women leaned on late connections from Solomon and Laure to pull off a 25-23 set 1 win, but Indonesia responded in the second set as they cruised to a 25-15 victory.
The national women’s volleyball team was once again tested in the third set by the favored Indonesia before Solomon and Gagate connected timely conversions to take a slim 25-23 win.
The game was still tight early in the fourth frame before Alas Pilipinas Women created separation for a 22-17 edge before they thwarted Indonesia’s late run with a booming hit from Solomon.
Arsela Nuari Purnama top-scored for Indonesia with 22 points; Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi added 18 markers; and Ratri Wulandari and Wilda Siti Nurfadilah ended with 11 and 10, respectively.
Prior to the win, Alas Pilipinas Women suffered consecutive defeats to host Vietnam on Friday night, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, and Thailand on Saturday afternoon, 25-12, 25-18, 25-10.
Alas Pilipinas Women will return to action next week for the second leg of the competition in Thailand./PN
