Philippine women’s volleyball team in the 31st SEA Games. AVC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s volleyball team got schooled by Thailand, 13-25, 10-25, 16-25, in their international friendly on Saturday at San Juan Arena.
The reigning Southeast Asian Games champion hardly broke a sweat in dominating the Filipino Spikers in an hour and 16 minutes in the event dubbed the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) International Challenge.
Pimpichaya Kokram led the Thais with 15 points, hitting 13 of her 20 spike attempts. Sasipapron Janthawisut delivered 13 points from 12 attacks.
Final: Thailand sweeps the Philippine women’s volleyball team, 25-13, 25-10, 25-16, in their international friendly. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/n8MF6zYJ1w
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 11, 2022
Ajcharaporn Kongyot only saw action in the first and third sets but chipped in eight points, while star spiker Chatchu-on Moksri played sparingly in the second set and finished with seven markers.
Kokram and Moksri took turns in dealing the damage to the Philippines in the second set, where they led as many as 14, 19-5, en route to a two-set lead.
The national team kept Thailand within striking distance in the third set, 12-9. But Kokram propelled the visiting squad to score seven of the next eight points for a 19-10 spread and never looked back to finish their exhibition game before their stint in the Volleyball Nations League Week 2.
Thailand, which won three of its four matches in Week 1, battles Canada on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Aby Marano led the national team with six points. Dell Palomata chimed in with five points, while Jema Galanza, Kat Tolentino and setter Kyle Negrito added three each.
Galanza also helped out the team in floor defense with 13 excellent receptions and six digs.
The Philippines will have another friendly match against Japan on Sunday at 4 p.m.