ALAS PILIPINAS eyes its second win in three matches as it takes on Cambodia on Saturday in the first leg of the 5th Southeast Asian Volleyball League at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.

Expected to have a full lineup after going 1-1 won-lost without key players, Alas Pilipinas tries to boost its medal bid with first-choice setter Owa Retamar eager to get back in harness after going down with an illness just before the opener.

“I’m good to go,” said Retamar, who fell ill just before Alas Pilipinas’s match against Vietnam on Wednesday and was a late scratch for the Thailand showdown despite being able to join practice.

“The coaches just wanted to be on the safe side,” Retamar said.

Alas Pilipinas, with Echo Adajar handling the plays, surged past Vietnam, 25-17, 25-23, 25-19, before bowing to Thailand, 16-25, 22-25, 24-26, in the tournament backed by PNVF official partners PLDT, Mwell, Meralco, ⁠Rebisco, Akari and Nuvali, PNVF official suppliers Asics, Senoh and ⁠Mikasa, official television partner Cignal, and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, ⁠Philippine Olympic Committee and the City of Candon.

The 23-year-old Retamar noted the Philippines did fine against Thailand, which simply played steadier in pressure situations.

Alas Pilipinas had a chance to extend the match when it led by three late in the third set but stalled and allowed Thailand to seize control.

“Throughout ng laro parehas lang naman, parehas nakaka-score, parehas nag-e-error. So pagdating lang talaga sa mga crucial nagkakatalo,” Retamar said.

Louie Ramirez is also set to see action after attending his graduation ceremony at University of Perpetual Help.

The match against Cambodia, which dropped its opener against Vietnam, will be vital as the Philippines tries to replicate, if not improve on its two bronze medals last season and boost its preparations for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025 with tickets available via the official website https://www.philippineswch2025.com/.

Buds Buddin agreed that decision-making in tense moments will be key.

“Sa game adjustment medyo off kami, nakakapag-adjust kami pero hindi siguro nakaka-execute ng maayos.”

“Chellenge sa amin ito, binigyan kami ng time para magising, na dapat everytime ikaw ang nandyan, i-grab mo na… be ready lagi.”