Cambodia denies Alas Pilipinas as Filipinos stumble in SEA V Cup return

Tiger Scores365

Alas Pilipinas Men could not recreate the spirited fight it showed a week earlier.

Instead, defending first-leg champion Cambodia controlled the match from start to finish, sweeping the Filipinos, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20, on Thursday to spoil the Philippines' opening assignment in the second leg of the 2026 SEA V Cup at the Jakarta International Velodrome.

The result was a stark contrast to their first-leg meeting in Candon, Ilocos Sur, where the Filipinos pushed Cambodia to a thrilling five-set battle before eventually falling.

This time, Cambodia never allowed Alas Pilipinas to build momentum, dictating the tempo throughout the contest.

The Filipinos saved their best fight for the third set.

Joshua Magalaman ignited hopes of extending the match by breaking a 19-all tie with a quick attack, and a Kuon Mom error stretched the Philippines' lead to 21-19.

But Cambodia responded like a champion.

Veasna Vourne led a pivotal 3-0 run that erased the deficit and handed Cambodia a 22-21 edge. Magalaman answered once more to level the score at 22-all, keeping Alas Pilipinas within reach.

The closing moments, however, belonged to the Cambodians.

After Jude Garcia traded attacks with Vourne, Mom drilled a cross-court winner to bring up match point before Garcia’s next attack sailed long, completing Cambodia’s straight-set victory.

The defeat leaves Alas Pilipinas facing a must-win situation against host Indonesia on Friday.

A victory would not only keep the Filipinos’ semifinal hopes alive but also avenge their first-leg loss to the Indonesians and force a three-way tie in Pool A.