Indonesians extend Alas medal drought

BANGKOK, Thailand — Alas Pilipinas was once again reduced into tears after falling short of a podium finish in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games women’s indoor volleyball event.

The Filipinas failed to sustain their strong second set performance, falling victim to familiar tormentor Indonesia in a heartbreaking 26-28, 25-13, 28-30, 24-26, loss in the battle for bronze on Monday at the Indoor Stadium Huamark here.

For the fifth straight staging of the biennial meet, Alas ended on the losing side of the consolation match, extending the country’s medal drought to 20 years.

The Jorge Souza de Brito-mentored squad rallied from a 16-19 deficit and leveled the fourth set at 23 after Indonesia committed an error. Hangestri Pertiwi Megawati put the Indonesians at match point before Bella Belen forced a deuce.

Megawati gave Indonesia another match point advantage before Berliana Nurtomo Chelsa shut the door right in the face of Alyssa Solomon to collect their fourth consecutive third-place finish — all at the expense of Alas.

“Just like every Filipino… you can feel super bad more than ever, but you know, it’s a game,” De Brito said.

“It’s super hard. I feel really bad. But the national team is much more than this.”

SEA Games first-timers Angel Canino and Amie Provido poured their hearts out in the game, pacing Alas with 14 points each and combined for 20 of the squad’s 54 attack points.

Solomon, who also debuted in the biennial meet, added 12 markers while Belen and Eya Laure scored nine and eight, respectively.

Alas squandered two set points in the extended opening frame. The squad atoned for its collapse with a strong performance in the second set behind Solomon, Canino and Provido.

The third frame turned into a battle of runs in a mad dash to the finish. Indonesia and Alas exchanged setpoint advantages before Shaina Nitura tied it at 28.

Canino sent her attack out as Pratama Naisya put the frame away with an off-speed attack.

Megawati exploded for 26 points, 22 coming off kills with four kill blocks, to pace Indonesia. Naisya had 12, Namira Maradanti finished with 11 while Chelsa had 10.