Thailand Defeats Alas Men in SEA V.League Match in Candon

ALAS Pilipinas bowed to defending champion Thailand, 16-25, 22-25, 24-26, in the 2025 SEA V.League on Thursday at Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

Buds Buddin steered Alas to set point, 24-22, and on the verge of forcing a fourth set, but the lead faded quickly as Thailand won the next four points behind veteran captain Amornthep Khonhan to put the hosts away.

With the win, the Thais duplicated their 2025 AVC Nations Cup classification-game sweep of the Philippines just two weeks ago in Bahrain for ninth place.

Alas Men absorbed a first home leg defeat in straight sets, sliding to a 1-1 card.

Buddin paced the nationals with 11 points on 10 attacks and one block. Fellow National U standout Leo Ordiales hit double digits again with 10 points after firing 20 attacks in last night's opening win against Vietnam.

Alas continues to miss the services of Owa Retamar (dizziness), Marck Espejo (ankle), Bryan Bagunas (knee) and Louie Ramirez (graduation) in the opening leg.

Meanwhile, Khonhan topscored for the Thais with 20 points on 18 attacks, one block and one ace.

A poor start in the first set saw Alas struggle to get its offense going and was long stuck at the 13-point mark.

The Thais maximized Alas' scoring slump with a 9-3 run to take the opening frame with ease.

In a much-closer second set, a Thai error trimmed their lead to one in the home stretch at 23-22. A pair of late Alas errors handed Thailand a 2-0 set lead before closing it out with a match-winning four-point blitz to stay unbeaten in the competition at 2-0.

Alas will have a one-day break before resuming its medal bid against tournament newcomer Cambodia on Saturday and rival neighbor Indonesia on Sunday.

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