BANGKOK, Thailand — Alas Pilipinas tests its mettle against no less than the reigning champion and host Thailand to begin its medal quest in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games women’s volleyball competition Thursday at the Indoor Stadium Huamark here. 

Deprived of a podium finish in two decades, the Filipinas look to start on a winning note when they march into Pool A action at 6:30 p.m. (Manila time).

“Well, it’s always good starting with the right foot,” Alas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito said.

But the Brazilian mentor admits beating the 15-peat-seeking Thais on their home turf is no easy task but Alas is ready for the challenge.

“Thailand is always good, it’s always strong, they play at home, and also I think it’s always a pleasure to play against them and measure how we are, at what stage we are as a team,” he said.

“We may have little time for preparation but the heart is here, that’s all we need now, and that’s all we have. So, we go for that.”

The Philippines has not stepped on the podium since winning bronze in the 2005 Manila edition of the biennial meet.

Team captain Jia De Guzman is confident that the chemistry the team has built playing together in the past two years will play a huge factor in Alas’ campaign to end a 20-year medal drought.

Alas hopes to carry the momentum of its runner-up finish in the AVC Nations Cup and back-to-back bronze medals in the two-leg SEA V.League this year to give the squad a fighting chance against the Thais, who have not dropped a match against the Philippines since the championship game of the 1993 Singapore SEA Games.

“Well, we’ve gone up against some of the teams that we’re going to play against in this SEA Games. So, we have confidence in that. We also have familiarity with each other since we’ve been playing as a team since last year. So, the system is there,” said the decorated setter, who is on her fourth appearance in the biennial meet.

“This time around, we’ve had two seasons of being Alas Pilipinas. But yes, we do wish that we had more time to prepare for this. But nevertheless, the communication, the familiarity, we have that.”

De Guzman has Mars Alba and Julia Coronel to back her up in playmaking while seasoned liberos Dawn Catindig and Justine Jazareno will take care of the floor defense.

De Brito is also pinning his hopes on veteran wingers Eya Laure and Vanie Gandler along with young hitters Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Shaina Nitura and Japan-based Alyssa Solomon.

Headlining Alas’ frontline defense are Maddie Madayag, Dell Palomata and Amie Provido.

Alas will battle Singapore on Friday to close the short group stage action.

Playing in Pool B are last edition’s runner-up Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar. 

The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout crossover semifinals on December 14. The final is on the following day.