Alas Pilipinas bowed to Vietnam, 13-25, 21-25, 25-23, 9-25, in the first leg of the 5th SEA V-League Saturday at the Terminal 21 Korat in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The Filipinas rallied to avoid a shutout, but their ammunition wasn’t enough to save them from absorbing a second straight loss in as many outings.
Vietnam shifted its game to a higher gear after yielding the third set and broke the will of Alas with a fiery onslaught led by Tranh Thi Thanh Thuy and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen.
The Vietnamese stayed unbeaten after two games and will vie for the gold medal on Sunday against defending champion Thailand.
Down, 0-2, in the match, Eya Laure, Vanie Gadler and Dell Palomata connived in the third frame to give Alas a chance for a comeback.
Gandler and Laure smashed back-to-back hits to give Alas a 22-21 advantage.
The Vietnamese tied it at 22 before Palomata won a joust, followed by a Laure through the block kill for Alas to move at set point, 24-22.
Bella Belen threw her service long in the next play but Vietnam also committed an error on its serve that extended the match.
It was all Vietnam in the next set as it raced to an 11-3 lead to open the fourth frame.
Alas will try to salvage a podium finish today against Indonesia at 2:30 p.m.