Taking a set from Thais fans hope of PH volleybelles

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand—Philippine team standouts Majoy Baron and Eya Laure said winning a set against Thailand is like winning the match already.

But both players, who were two of the bright spots in Saturday’s 25-13, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20 loss to Thailand in the Asean Volleyball Grand Prix here, agreed that the team has a lot to build on after taking a set from the regional powerhouse, which played their top standouts.

“When we won the set we were jumping for joy like we won the match. Because it was the key players of Thailand out there and not the bench players,” said the 24-year-old Baron.

“That means that with a longer preparation, we can make it,” added Baron, who was with Laure on the floor during the set win.

The big crowd at Terminal 21 Mall fell silent as the Philippines took control of the third set.

“We really practiced [for this game],” said Laure, who is the youngest team member at 20. “We worked on our service receives and blocking.”

But the most important thing that Laure saw was “we now have teamwork. Our training camp in Bangkok is paying off.”

The Philippines suffered its second straight loss after dropping a five-setter to Indonesia. It will gun for a victory against Vietnam on Sunday.

Thai coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul was seen berating the players on the bench after losing a set to the Filipino squad.