(UPDATED) The Philippines will be competing in the gold medal match in the women's beach volleyball for the first time in the history of the Southeast Asian Games.
The Alas Beach pairs of Sunnie Villapando and Dij Rodriguez, as well as "SiPons" duo Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons turned back their Vietnamese rivals to enter the championship round of the 33rd edition of the biennial sporting meet, Monday in Thailand.
This was their fourth win in as many assignments, giving them a Finals berth with one more match left in their elimination round schedule.
READ: Alas' Rondina, Pons shock Indonesia for winning start in SEAG
By reaching the finals, Alas Beach players are now assured of at least a silver medal—already their best result by far—but for sure, their eyes will be on the golden finish.
Pons and Rondina first defeated Thi My Nga Dinh and Hong Hanh Mai, 21-18, 15-21, 15-10 in an intense three-set battle, while Villapando and Rodriguez's match against Ngoc Lan Chau and Le Thi Tuong Vy Nguyen turned the same way, 22-20, 19-21, 15-10.
READ: 'SiPons', Alas beach volley teams shift focus to SEA Games
They will be taking on a tough Thailand side in the final, scheduled for Friday, December 19.
But first, Thailand and the Philippines will close out the elims against each other on Wednesday, in a preview of the gold medal match.
Thailand, the reigning champion, stayed unbeaten with a 2-0 win over Singapore to also move to the final.
This marks a better finish for the Philippines after missing out on the podium at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.