Alas Pilipinas fell to South Korea's Powerful Daegu,26-24, 23-25, 23-25, 25-16, 8-15, during the Serve-Spike Unite exhibition game on Friday.
The event celebrated the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Filipinas, coming off a historic bronze finish in the AVC Challenge Cup, struggled in the final set.
Powerful Daegu surged ahead early, establishing a commanding seven-point lead at 14-7.
Alas Pilipinas managed to save a point after a service error by Daegu, but the Koreans quickly delivered the game-clinching blow.
Despite the loss, the Philippines had a strong start, nearly squandering a 23-21 lead in the opening set.
The Koreans rallied with a three-point run, two of which were aces, to take the lead and reach set point.
A net violation by Daegu tied the set at 24-all.
Angel Canino and Faith Nisperos then secured the set for the Philippines with a cross-court hit and a pipe attack, respectively.
However, the momentum shifted in the second set. Alas Pilipinas held a 21-22 edge but faltered as the Koreans executed a 4-1 run to even the match.
The third set saw the Philippines trailing throughout, making a late comeback attempt that fell short, allowing Daegu to take a 2-1 lead.
Refusing to go down quietly, Alas Pilipinas dominated the fourth set to force a deciding fifth.
Yet, they couldn't sustain the energy, and Daegu capitalized on the slow start by the Filipinas to secure the victory.
Notably, Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina did not play in the exhibition match.
