MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas showed promise with key additions, but Vietnam proved too much in a 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 loss in the VTV Women’s International Cup opener on Sunday at Vin Phuc Gymnasium.

Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, whose transfer of federation from the United States is still in progress, impressed in their debut for the Philippine flag.

The Petro Gazz stars connected well to captain Jia De Guzman’s brilliant playmaking, while Leila Cruz, who was a reserved player in Alas’ silver medal finish in the 2025 AVC Nations Cup, was a revelation for coach Jorge De Brito’s team.

Vietnam, the three-peat Nations Cup champion, though, asserted its mastery of Alas with Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen doing the damage anew.

Alas erased an 11-18 deficit in the second set as Van Sickle’s through the block attack and Dell Palomata’s ace cut it down to two, 19-21, only for the host to regroup and take a two-set lead off Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Vo Thi Kim Thoa’s finishing touches.

Vietnam broke a 15-all deadlock in the third and pulled away, 20-16. Alleiah Malaluan scored twice to trim the lead to 22-19, but Thoa again came up clutch to seal Vietnam’s second straight win in Pool A.

Alas seeks to bounce back against Sichuan of China on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

The Philippines held an 18-16 lead in the opening set off Van Sickle’s block only for Vietnam to steal the momentum and draw first blood with a 9-2 run.