Alas Pilipinas Men began their match with promise but ultimately fell to host Indonesia in straight sets, 24-26, 11-25, 15-25, during the second leg of the 2024 Southeast Asia V.League on Friday at the UNY Sport Complex in Yogyakarta.
After securing a bronze finish in the first leg, the Filipinos showed early signs of resilience. In the opening set, they managed to keep pace with Indonesia, pushing the set to a deuce. Key plays by Buds Buddin and Leo Ordiales helped the team stay in contention, as back-to-back scores tied the game at 23-all.
However, Indonesia's Angga Anggara delivered a down-the-line hit that pushed the hosts to set point. A service error from Daniel Pratama momentarily gave the Filipinos a lifeline, but Anggara quickly regained control, executing a cross-court kill. Buddin’s subsequent attack went long, sealing the first set for Indonesia at 26-24.
Riding the momentum from their narrow first-set win, Indonesia came out strong in the second set, quickly establishing a 16-7 lead. An ace from Anggara further extended the advantage, and a dominant 9-4 run allowed the hosts to comfortably close out the set, 25-11, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
The second set proved disastrous for the Filipinos, who struggled to find their rhythm. They managed to convert only four successful attacks, while Indonesia's aggressive play resulted in 13 attacks, seven decisive kill blocks, and four aces, showcasing their dominance on the court.
With the wind out of their sails, Alas Pilipinas couldn't muster a comeback in the third set. Indonesia continued their onslaught, with Farhan Halim's powerful kill extending their lead to 21-11. The Filipinos were unable to recover from the deficit, and Indonesia wrapped up the set 25-15, completing the sweep.
Now standing at 0-1 in the second leg, Alas Pilipinas will look to bounce back as they face the reigning champions, Thailand (1-0), on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at the same venue.
Photo from SAVA
