Alas Pilipinas during the VTV International Women’s Cup semifinals against Russia’s Korabelka. –USPORTS

Alas Pilipinas put up a tough stand but fell short as Korabelka came away with the 25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-22 win in the VTV International Women’s Cup semifinals.

The defending champions from Russia advanced to the gold medal match, while the Filipino Spikers were left to salvage a bronze medal.

The Philippines can still match its best finish in the tournament when it battles the loser of the other semifinals match between Chinese Taipei and host Vietnam on Saturday.

PVL team Choco Mucho, as the country’s representative in the VTV Cup, won bronze in 2023.

Alas Pilipinas managed to push the unbeaten Korabelka to its limits, especially in the second set, where the underdogs rallied from a slow start to steal the extended set, 27-25.

Down 7-3 early, Alas slowly chipped at Korabelka’s lead and went toe-to-toe against the much taller Korabelka side until a block from Brooke Van Sickle tied the set at 20 all.

MJ Phillips pulled the Philippines within 24-23, before three straight attacks from Alleiah Malaluan allowed Alas Pilipinas to tie the game with one set apiece.

While Alas Pilipinas hung in there the rest of the way and even led early in Set 4, the Russians got their act together in the third and fourth sets to seal the result.