Matsing Veterans Alliance

**Highest Ranked**: Katrina (4/24)

The Masting Veterans Alliance (also known as the Matsing Alliance or the Viveros Alliance 3.0) was an alliance from Survivor: Philippines.

Created by three of the most loyal and recognisable players in *Survivor* history, the alliance somehow survived an uphill battle throughout the pre-merge to all survive into the merge. Following the loss of their leader, the final two members of the alliance worked their way to the Final Five before being targeted.

## History

### Formation

Following the creation of the blue Matsing tribe on Day 1 of Survivor: Philippines, it was a no brainer that veterans and best friends Domenic, Katrina and Marina would rekindle their alliances from their previous and seasons. The girls especially also forged a connection quickly to new castaway Jessica, where the trio now became an alliance of four on a tribe of eight. When Matsing their first immunity challenge on Day 4, the four agreed to vote for Natalia but the other four members of the tribe voted for Domenic. At the revote, the alliance were able to convince Thomas to work with them rather than new players. He flipped and voted with the veterans to eliminate Natalia.

### Reconsiderations

Though he was just saved by his alliance, Domenic was nervous that the target on his back was too large and found the tribes Hidden Immunity Idol. This was extremely important because he heard murmurs that Thomas was leading an alliance with newbies Alexander, Jasmine and Jessica to get rid of him. At Matsing's tribal council on Day 6, Thomas' alliance voted for Domenic but he played an idol. With the second highest number of votes, Domenic, Katrina and Marina blindsided Jessica for breaking their trust by flipping on their alliance.

Alexander, with the numbers not falling in his favour, began to socialise and flirt with Katrina and Marina with the intention of joining the Matsing Veterans Alliance. Though the girls considered him a strong, attractive male, they weren't willing to ruin three seasons worth of working with Domenic for a new player they had just met. When Matsing lost again on Day 12, Thomas felt his alliance with the newbies was a sinking ship and promised to work again with the veterans. With some apprehension, the trio needed Thomas for the numbers and told him they would be voting for Alexander. Though Domenic and Thomas voted for Alexander, the trio came up with a plan in case Thomas was lying. The girls voted for Thomas, and with Alexander and Jasmine voting for Marina, a three way tie occurred between Alexander, Marina and Thomas. With Domenic, Jasmine and Katrina the only castaways eligible to vote, the veterans had the numbers and Alexander was voted out.

### The Switch: Tandang

At the dissolve of Matsing on Day 13, Katrina, Marina and Thomas were switched to the yellow Tandang tribe. The girls quickly reunited with Erinn, but their alliance of three was extremely threatening to the rest of the tribe. When Tandang lost on Day 14, the girls voted for Caherine but Thomas worked with Catherine, Sarah and Vanessa to eliminate Erinn. Thomas and Vanessa controlled Tandang throughout the switch but didn't want to target Katrina or Marina because they were perceived as bigger threats than them. The two duos even worked together on Day 20 to eliminate Sarah who had a strong alliance with Catherine.

### The Switch: Kalabaw

Domenic meanwhile was placed on the red Kalabaw tribe along with a vengeful Jasmine, who was still angry from Alexander's elimination. This rivalry fractured Kalabaw and forced the tribe to align with either Domenic or Jasmine. Domenic gathered Mitchell, Montana, Tison and his former ally Liam to eliminate Jasmine on Day 18. When Kalabaw attended a Double Tribal Council on Day 22, it appeared that Joel and Bianca would be systematically voted out. However, Montana and Tison who were working with Domenic and Liam formed their own Final Two deal and Mitchell no longer felt affiliated with the alliance. With three castaways turning on them, Domenic was blindsided when his closest ally Liam was voted out. When he voted for Bianca at the tribes next loss again, she played an idol and Elyse was voted out.

### The Merge

Domenic, Katrina and Marina reunited once more when the tribes merged on Day 25. Domenic felt he had Montana and Tison at his disposal to vote for Vanessa but this was not the case, and they turned on him. Now in the minority, the original Tandang castaways had the power and systematically eliminated their enemies Catherine, Domenic and Montana.

Aiden played his idol at the tribes previous tribal council and the remaining eight castaways were told that two final idols would be hidden at the same time. Without their closest ally, Katrina and Marina were forced to forge their own way to the end together. It appeared that luck was in their favour, as the girls found both idols and were approached by both Aiden and Tison to make a move. The four castaways wanted to target Thomas because of his connection to Vanessa, which led to a tied vote. At the revote, Aiden and unfortunately flipped on the girls and Tison was eliminated.

### On the Outs

At the Final Seven, Katrina and Marina were on the outs of the tribe but were protected with two idols secretly in their bags. At tribal council, both girls played their idols and with the sole vote that counted from Aiden, Vanessa was voted out. With his closest ally gone, Thomas joined forces with Katrina and Marina once again with the intention of splitting up Aiden, Bianca and Mitchell by voting for Mitchell. When Mitchell played an idol however, the powerful trio eliminated Thomas. Magically still surviving at the Final Five, Katrina and Marina were hopeful with their chances to the Final Three. With no idols, individual immunity wins or sway within the trio however, Marina and Katrina were systematically eliminated and became the final two members of the *Philippines* jury.