Alas Pilipinas in a huddle during the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas absorbed a 12-25, 18-25, 10-25 rout to defending champion Thailand, falling to a 0-2 record in the 2024 SEA V.League on Saturday in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.
The five-time league winner Thailand was too much for the young Philippine women’s volleyball team as they remained unbeaten in 17 games in the regional tournament founded in 2019.
Chatchu-on Moksri powered the Thais with 11 points built on seven attacks, three aces, and a block to dominate the Filipino Spikers, especially in the third, leading as much as 20-7. Kongyot Ajcharaporn chipped in 10 points, Kokram Pimpichaya added nine, and setter Guedpard Pornpun orchestrated the plays on top of four points.
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Thailand, a 16-time SEA Games gold medalist, guns for its fifth V.League championship against Vietnam on Sunday at 8 p.m.
No one from the Philippine team scored in double figures with National University stars Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen leading the charge with five points each while only playing in the first two sets. Thea Gagate and substitute spiker Faith Nisperos added four points apiece.
Alas was dominated by the Thais in attacking, 27-47, and gave up 15 errors with the latter only committing 10 miscues.
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The Filipinos will close out their first-round campaign against Indonesia on Sunday at 5 p.m. with a chance to win bronze, which the squad last won in two consecutive legs in 2019.
The Nationals were not able to carry the momentum of their gallant stand, led by Solomon’s 20-point effort, against host Vietnam, before ending up with a 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25 loss on Friday night.
Eya Laure, who scored 13 points in the opener, was limited to just two points in two sets played. Vanie Gandler and Sisi Rondina were scoreless in limited action.