PH’s de la Noche, Iraya fall to Thais in Asian U21 beach volley tilt

THE Philippines’ Jayrack de la Noche and Alexander Iraya. AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— The Philippines’ Jayrack de la Noche and Alexander Iraya dropped their opening game in the Asian U21 Beach Volleyball Championships on Tuesday in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

Seeded seventh in the 12-team tournament, the Filipino pair lost to Thailand 2’s Netitorn Muneekul and Wachirawit Muadpha, 12-21, 14-21.

The win propelled the Thais into the quarterfinals with a 2-0 sweep of Pool B.

PHI’s Jay Rack De La Noche/Alexander Jhon Iraya in interview after against THA2 match at 4th Asian U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand on Tuesday. #FIVB #AVC #BeachVolleyball #AVCVolley #AsianVolleyball #AsianU21BeachVolleyballChampionships #StayActive pic.twitter.com/IAaZTWswAm

— Asian Volleyball Confederation (@AsianVolleyball) July 13, 2021

They beat the Australian duo of Ruben Gale and Connor O’Neill, 21-19, 21-14, on Monday.

De la Noche and Iraya will have to knock off the No. 2 Aussies if they are to make the next round.

“This is our last chance. I hope we win through your prayers,” Iraya said.

The tournament is a qualifier for the FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Roi Et also in Thailand set from September 24 to 29.

De la Noche and Iraya, standouts from University of Santo Tomas high school program, made their international debut in the Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships last week.