Alas Pilipinas during a game against Vietnam in the SEA V.League Leg 1 in Thailand.–SAVA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas dropped its second game in the 5th SEA V.League, falling to Vietnam anew, 13-25, 21-25, 25-23, 9-25, on Saturday at Terminal 21 Korat in Nakhon Ratchasima. 

Alas tried to pull off a comeback behind Vanie Gandler and Eya Laure, who provided the clutch hits for a 22-21 lead to cut the Vietnamese’s match lead to 2-1.

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas Women at SEA V.League Leg 1

However, the AVC Nations Cup champion regrouped in the fourth and never looked back after zooming to a commanding 18-6 advantage.

Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen and Tran Thi Thanh Thuy powered the Vietnamese to their third straight win over the Filipinos this year, including the Nations Cup championship and VTV Cup preliminary round.

Vietnam battles seven-time defending champion Thailand on Sunday for the first leg gold medal.

In the third set, Alas erased a 7-11 deficit as Gandler and Maddie Madayag stepped up for a 17-15 lead before both squads went into a back-and-forth duel.

Vietnam started to dominate after turning a one-point deficit, 8-7, into a 10-point spread, 20-10, through a 12-3 run to draw the first blood.

READ: Alas Pilipinas drops four-setter to Thailand in SEA V.League

Alas led by two early in the second set, 8-6, after Solomon’s cross-court and Madayag’s quick attack. But Tuyen and Thuy restored the order for an 18-12 lead.

Laure tried to bring Alas closer, 20-23, but Nguyen Thi Uyen and Tran Thi Bich Thuy delivered the finishing touches en route to a two-set lead.

Alas couldn’t sustain its strong first set win as it still fell to defending champion Thailand, 25-17, 24-26, 20-25, 20-25 on Friday.

The Philippines eyes to sustain its bronze medal against Indonesia on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.