Rhose Almendralejo in action for Alas Pilipinas against Iran in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, October 27, 2025 at the Isa Sports City in Riffa, Bahrain. POC Media
Alas Pilipinas suffered a tough four-set defeat to Iran in the semifinals of the volleyball competition in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, Monday night at the Isa Sports City in Riffa, Bahrain.
The Alas girls could not sustain a strong start and bowed in four sets, 28-26, 18-25, 19-25, 18-25.
The young Filipinas snatched the opening set but Iran found its rhythm and went on a tear, capitalizing on the Philippines' struggles to side out.
Rhose Almendralejo carried the scoring load with 25 points, including 23 attacks, while Sam Cantada added 14.
Raine Alonzo chipped in seven, and Ysabella Cruz contributed five in a gallant effort for the Filipinas, who also struggled with service reception against the taller, more composed Iranian side.
Usually a steady presence on the floor, Philippine delegation flag bearer Harlene Serneche could not get things going and was limited to two points in the first set and one in the second.
Alas can still make the podium but standing in their way is powerhouse Thailand, whom they will play in the bronze medal match on Wednesday.
Thailand had suffered a stunning defeat against Indonesia, 24-26, 25-27, 17-25, in the other semifinal pairing.
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Rihanna Navarro orchestrates the plays for Alas Pilipinas against Iran in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, October 27, 2025 at the Isa Sports City in Riffa, Bahrain. POC Media
Despite the loss, libero Atasha Doroja remains hopeful and composed, vowing that the team will be stronger in the bronze medal match.
"First of all po, masakit po yung natalo po kami. We tried our best, we gave our best sa game pero I think marami pa po kaming kailangan pagtrabahuhan, lapses, which I think maka-clutch naman po namin para sa battle for third namin against Thailand," said Doroja.
"Ang masasabi ko lang po is there's more to grow, bawat isa po sa amin - emotionally pati sa skills. Marami pa po talagang room for improvement. Pagtatrabahuhan namin po yun sa next days, the next months, the next years."
Doroja also expressed gratitude to the Filipino fans in Bahrain who have been rallying behind the team throughout the tournament.
"Gusto ko lang pong pasalamatan yung mga Filipino fans po na nandito. Maraming maraming salamat po sa effort, sa pagpunta niyo sa amin, sa panonood niyo po sa amin, whether we win or we lose, maraming maraming salamat po sa pagsuporta niyo. Babawi po kami, kukunin po namin yung third."
The Philippines will now look to avenge its earlier loss to Thailand, which dominated their preliminary-round encounter, 25-21, 25-18, 25-14. But this time, Alas Pilipinas hopes familiarity will play to its advantage.
"Nakalaban na po namin sila so di na po siguro bago if papasok kami sa loob ng court," said Doroja. "Naaral po namin sila and mas familiar naman po kami sa kanila ngayon kumpara po sa dati, which is advantage na po sa amin."
The Thais, led by Wisanruta Sengna and Supawadee Panwilai, will be eager to repeat their preliminary-round sweep of the Philippine team.