What Alas Pilipinas achieved in Chiang Mai, Thailand is more than just the historic silver medal that glittered like gold in the second leg of the 2026 Southeast Asian Women’s V Cup.

Its result in the three-day competition over the weekend shows an encouraging future for the national team under head coach Taka Minowa.

Just a week after a winless opening leg in Hanoi, the Filipinas ended a seven-year wait for its best finish in the regional volleyball competition.

Although still adjusting to the Japanese coach’s system — just two weeks into his appointment — Alas’ competitiveness has already achieved a step higher.

The Philippines avenged its first leg loss to Indonesia by bringing its rival down in a thrilling four-setter, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31, at the close of the SEA V Cup season Sunday at the Chiang Mai Sports Complex.

Alas finally captured a runner-up finish after 11 legs of the tournament that began in 2019 — then known as the ASEAN Grand Prix.

“We just started training 15 days ago and then came to Vietnam and Thailand. For sure, we are just starting the program, and they have a lot of opportunities and a lot of space to improve for this team,” Minowa said.

Minowa was named Alas mentor following the return of the team’s main core after skipping the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup in Candon, Ilocos Sur last June for various reasons.

He replaced Thai tactician Tai Bundit, who had to relinquish his spot to his deputy Shaq Delos Santos after being involved in a road accident weeks before the tournament.

Minowa’s debut wasn’t pretty as Alas lost all of its games and missed the podium for the first time in three years after four straight bronze medal finishes.

The squad also had a rough start in the second leg after bowing to eventual leg winner Thailand in straight sets.

Determined not to go home empty-handed, Alas stunned Leg 1 champion Vietnam, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, to halt a seven-year losing skid to the same rival last Saturday.

Then came the Filipinas’ glorious moment.

Alyssa Solomon starred for Alas in this year’s edition after sweeping the Best Opposite Spiker award. The National University product now holds the most recognition for the position with four.

Not to be outdone, Eya Laure also got a share of the spotlight by bagging the Best Outside Spiker award.

Minowa is looking to use the momentum of Alas’ win as the squad prepares for the biggest challenge under his watch — the Philippines’ return to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games next month after an eight-year absence.

Alas faces an uphill battle right from the group stage against Asian giants China and Kazakhstan in Pool B.

The Asiad women’s volleyball competition will run from 16 to 22 September.