Alas Pilipinas U18’s inspired run falls short of finals after loss to Iran, eyes bronze against Thailand in AYG

The spirited campaign of Alas Pilipinas U18 came to a halt in the semifinals of the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, as the young Filipinas bowed to Iran, 26-28, 25-18, 25-19, 25-18, on Monday night (early Tuesday morning, Manila time). 

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the girls remain in contention for a podium finish, with a bronze medal showdown against familiar foe Thailand up next.

It was a valiant stand for the youthful squad, who opened the match with a thrilling 28-26 first-set win — a testament to their composure and firepower under pressure. 

However, the taller and more experienced Iranians bounced back with a strong defensive wall and crisp attacks that gradually wore down the Philippine side in the succeeding sets.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

JUST IN: Iran defeats Alas Pilipinas in four sets, 26-28, 25-18, 25-19, 25-18, to advance to the gold medal match of the girls’ volleyball tournament at the 3rd Asian Youth Games!

They will once again face Indonesia in a battle for the gold medal! … pic.twitter.com/bJlxIe7pSc

— Volleytrails (@volleytrails) October 27, 2025

The defeat ended the Filipinas’ bid for a historic finals berth but not their chance to make history. They now brace for a rematch against Thailand, the same squad that dealt them one of their earlier defeats in the group stage.

The Thais themselves were denied a finals appearance after falling to Indonesia in straight sets, 26-24, 27-25, 25-17.

Before the semifinals, the Alas Pilipinas U18 team had been one of the tournament’s biggest revelations. They swept their group stage with dominant performances — stunning powerhouse China (25-20, 25-18, 25-20), outlasting Hong Kong (25-15, 28-26, 25-11), and overpowering Chinese Taipei (25-15, 20-25, 25-16, 25-18) to secure their spot in the semifinals. 

Their campaign began with a gritty five-set victory over South Korea, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-10, which set the tone for their inspired run.

Though denied a finals berth, the young Filipinas have already made a strong statement in Bahrain — proving that Philippine volleyball’s next generation is ready to stand tall among Asia’s best. 

With one match left to play, Alas Pilipinas will aim to close their historic campaign with bronze and bring home a symbol of their growing potential on the continental stage.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!