Playing their best, PH gals falter vs world-class Thais

Philippines’s Jovelyn Gonzaga (top L) returns the ball against Thailand players during their volleyball women’s semi-finals match at the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Kuala Lumpur on August 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MOHD RASFAN

KUALA LUMPUR—The Philippine team displayed its best form in the tournament but still failed to measure up to Thailand to lose a 25-21, 25-17, 25-17 decision Saturday in the Southeast Asian Games women’s volleyball semifinals here.

The Thais, who regularly play in top-level tournaments like the World Championship and Olympics, didn’t hold their punches against the all-heart Filipinos and played their best players up until the end.

The defeat sent the Philippines to the bronze-medal match against either Indonesia or Vietnam.

Coming into the SEA Games, the Nationals were aiming to end their medal drought in the biennial meet that dates back to the 2005 Manila edition, when they bagged a bronze.

“We still have a chance to medal. This is still an achievement for us, making the semifinals,” said PH coach Francis Vicente.

Formed just three months ago and playing as one team just six weeks back, the Philippines barged into the Final Four with a rousing win over Malaysia (25-18, 25-11, 25-16) Thursday.

It had its chance to top the group stage but the Philippines yielded a straight-set loss to Vietnam (26-24, 25-12, 25-23).

Vietnam, the silver medal winner in the last SEA Games, and Indonesia were locked in the other semifinal battle.

If Vietnam wins, the Nationals will have to deal with Indonesia, a team led by explosive spiker Aprilla Manganang.

Manganang had a beef to settle against the Philippines, whose officials questioned her gender during the 2015 Singapore edition.

However, the 25-year-old Indonesian said the controversy is now water under the bridge when she came to the Philippines last year for the Asian Club Championships.