Alas Pilipinas opened its SEA Games run with a straight-sets setback to Thailand on Thursday night at Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok. The defending champions took control early and never let go, handing the Filipinas a tough loss to start Group A play.

Thailand’s precision and familiarity showed throughout the match, overwhelming an Alas squad that fielded nine first-time competitors in the biennial tournament. Despite the gap in experience, the young Filipinas tried to keep pace and push back against the region’s perennial powerhouse.

Alas shows flashes despite Thailand’s dominance

Angel Canino, Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen led the charge for the youthful squad as they attempted to keep the match within reach. The trio delivered the early energy Alas needed, but Thailand’s consistency at the net and in transition halted every rally the Filipinas built.

Belen admitted afterward that the group struggled to settle into rhythm, noting that they must adjust quickly with another match looming. She remained confident that the team could recover, citing the grit the group showed in stretches of the match and their determination to bounce back.

Second-set push gives Filipinos momentum to build on

After Thailand controlled the opening frame, Alas briefly seized momentum in the second set as Jia De Guzman connected with Solomon and Canino to help the team move ahead 17-16. Filipino fans inside the venue made their presence felt, matching the noise of the home crowd during the short rally.

But Thailand responded with a decisive run behind veterans Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Hattaya Bamrungsuk and Catchu-on Moksri to take the set back. From there, the Thais kept applying pressure, extending a mid-set lead in the third before closing the match with an ace.

Solomon finished with nine points, all from attacks, while Canino added eight and Belen chipped in three. On the Thai side, Pimpichaya Kokram led with 14 points, including a strong finishing stretch.

Alas will now face Singapore on Friday in a match that will determine its chances of reaching the crossover semifinals. Thailand, meanwhile, swept its group to secure the top spot in Group A. In the other bracket, Vietnam and Indonesia dominated their respective outings to stay unbeaten in Group B.