ALAS PILIPINAS women’s road to next month’s Asian Games in Aichi, Japan gets tougher each day as they wade into battle in the SEA V Cup Leg 2 unfurling on Friday in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

There, the Nationals face the tougher Thais, who sent in the cavalry with several of their top players who saw action in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) now back in the fold after missing Leg 1 in Hanoi, Vietnam less than week ago.

Pornpun Guedpard, Chatchu-on Moksri and Pimpichaya Kokram are among the six returnees and should make the Thais, who won nine of the first 10 SEA V Cup legs, the favorites to top Leg 2.

Interestingly, Thailand ruled Leg 1 minus its VNL veterans but faced some rough sailing early including its most difficult match in the leg against Alas that ended up in a five-set triumph.

The Thais won’t be that vulnerable this time.

The Filipinas, in contrast, will carry the same roster, headed by Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure and Mars Alba who shone the brightest in Leg 1, that left Hanoi winless in three outings. — Joey Villar

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