Alas Pilipinas seeks redemption from a humiliating previous result as it begins its campaign in the second leg of the 2026 Southeast Asian Women’s V Cup today at the Chiang Mai Sports Complex in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

However, the Filipinas are in for an uphill battle in an early clash with first leg champion and host Thailand.

Opening serve is at 5:30 p.m. (Manila time) following the 2 p.m. meeting between Vietnam and Indonesia.

Alas, under new head coach Taka Minowa, came out empty-handed last week in the first leg held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Philippines dropped all three of its games, including a sorry, 25-20, 19-25, 22-25, 16-25, loss to Indonesia last Sunday that snapped Alas’ podium finishes in the regional competition’s last four stagings.

Alas, however, is hoping to complete an upset against the Thais after a foiled attempt last time.

Behind the 20-point explosion of Bella Belen and 13 markers of Alyssa Solomon, Alas pushed Thailand to the edge, but the nine-time gold medalist found a way to thwart the Pinay spikers in a 25-17, 19-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-10 escape.

Belen and Solomon, named Best Opposite Spiker in the first leg, are back to banner Alas alongside Eya Laure, Vange Alinsug, Erika Santos, Fifi Sharma, Nina Ytang, libero Justine Jazareno and setter Mars Alba, who all stepped up in a near-shocker against Thailand a week ago.

Thailand, which dethroned Vietnam and completed a sweep of the opening leg, is once again banking on reigning Most Valuable Player Sasipapron Janthawisut, middle blocker Kaewkalaya Kamulthala and top playmaker Natthanicha Jaisaen to repeat over Alas, which has not beaten the Thais in a major tournament for over three decades.