Philippine women’s volleyball team in the SEA VLeague. –PH VOLLEYBALL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The new-look Philippine women’s volleyball team absorbed its second straight loss in the Southeast (SEA) VLeague first leg at the hands of powerhouse Thailand, 19-25, 7-25, 17-25, on Saturday in Vīnh Phúc, Vietnam.
Bella Belen led the gallant stand of the young Filipino Spikers in the third set against the region’s strongest volleyball team with the frame tied at 16-all but the Thais were too much, scoring five straight points for a 21-16 lead before Belen’s back row attack stopped the bleeding.
However, Sasipaporn Janthawisut nailed a cross-court hit to ignitedThailand’s final 4-0 run capped by her match-winning ace to stay unbeaten in the first leg, following their 26-24, 26-24, 25-20 win over Indonesia on Friday.
The Thais, who won the first three tournaments of the SEA VLeague formerly known as the ASEAN Grand Prix, had the luxury of trying different rotations with Wipawee Srithong dealing the damage from the plays of setter Pornpun Guedpard in the first set, while Chatchu-on Moksri and Ajcharaporn Kongyot took charge in the second frame.
Belen gave the Philippines its first lead in the second set, 2-1 but Moksri and Kongyot formed a potent combo, easily taking a two-set lead by limiting their foes to scoring just five points for the remainder of the frame.
Thailand eyes the first leg title of this year’s VLeague against host Vietnam on Sunday.
The Nationals, who are drawing contributions from Alyssa Solomon, Vange Alinsug, and setter Lams Lamina as well as Ateneo middle blocker AC Miner and libero Roma Mae Doromal, seek to finish their first leg campaign strong against Indonesia also on Sunday at 5 p.m.
They won the second set against host Vietnam behind the efforts of Belen and Solomon, who scored 16 points each but still succumbed to a 15-25, 25-19, 21-25, 9-25 defeat on Friday.
The Filipino Spikers will see play in Chiang Mai, Thailand next week for the second leg of the tournament.