Alas Pilipinas, Jia De Guzman praised by Thailand coach despite opening-game loss in SEA Games

Alas Pilipinas entered the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium with hope, momentum, and the belief that this new generation could finally challenge Thailand’s long-standing SEA Games dominance. Instead, they were met with a harsh reminder of what it takes to topple a 14-time champion: precision, depth, and consistency that the Philippines has yet to match.

In just 73 minutes, the hosts delivered a clinical performance, sweeping the Filipinas 25–11, 25–17, 25–16 in a one-sided opener that exposed the gap between an established powerhouse and a rebuilding contender still searching for its identity.

The loss extended the Philippines’ drought against Thailand to five straight SEA Games meetings dating back to 2017, all ending in straight sets — a streak Alas Pilipinas had hoped to finally break with its revamped roster.

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Despite the defeat, Thailand head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai praised the Filipinas and their captain Jia De Guzman for their competitive effort.

“Today we played with the Philippines, it’s very hard for us, not so easy. In every point, every ball, every skill, we are serious and focused on ourselves. We did not focus too much on the Philippine team, but anyway the serve of the Philippine was very good, the attack, also blocking. System is very good,” Radchatagriengkai said.

“So many players, the setter I love. The setter is very good. Also the number 12 is very nice. And also the middle blocker, all of them, they are very good,” he added.

Jia De Guzman acknowledges that while Alas Pilipinas continues to improve, other teams are also working hard to elevate their talent. | via Mei-Lin Lozada/One Sports#AlasPilipinas #SEAGames33 #SEAGamesThailand #TibayAtTatag pic.twitter.com/QPovn5fJ68

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 11, 2025

Alas captain De Guzman shone as one of the bright spots in the loss. Her precise ball distribution and leadership helped the Philippines remain competitive in the second and third sets.

De Guzman credited her teammates for their support.

“Well, I would not be able to do my job if hindi rin gumawa ‘yung mga teammates ko. From the first touch, talagang ‘yung magagawa ko lang is to set up the spikers with what I get. And ‘yung reception namin, ‘yung first touch namin today, very good talaga. We will try to do our best moving forward pa,” she said.

The 30-year-old remains optimistic that the team will learn from the defeat.

“Well, we are gonna take that. Syempre, even if it’s the smallest improvement we will take that. Pero again, hindi naman ibig sabihin na nag-i-improve kami, mag-sa-stop na. Even Thailand is improving with what kind of a powerhouse they have been these past years, they are still improving because they are continuing their program, they are giving preparation for this.

“So with us naman, we are hoping to get that but right now this is our situation. Every game we want to improve, every set we want to improve, nakikita naman from the first set, to the second set, to the third set, we are getting our groove back,” De Guzman added.

Alas now faces a pivotal match in its campaign: a do-or-die group stage clash against Singapore on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Manila time). A win keeps their semifinals hopes alive; a loss relegates them to the classification round.

For a program focused on rebuilding, Singapore represents more than just the next opponent — it’s the first true test of whether this new version of Alas can reset, regroup, and respond under pressure.

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