Est Cola’s Warisara Seetaloed during the PVL Invitationals against Farm Fresh.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Warisara Seetaload and Natthawan Patthaisong willed Est Cola to a come-from-behind 22-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-20, 17-15 victory over Farm Fresh to snap a three-game skid in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference on Monday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Playing in their last elimination game, the under-20 Thailand women’s volleyball squad never wavered amid being down by a 1-2 deficit to the Foxies with Seetaloed unleashing a tournament-high 33 points off 29 kills, two aces, and two blocks on top of 11 excellent receptions in a thrilling two-hour and 34-minute game.
“I feel good and I feel comfortable to go to the game and help the team a lot in this game,” said Seetaload, translated by assistant coach and former national team star Wilavan Apinyapong.
“In the fifth set, it was quite close but we were more patient. We helped each other and tried to have fun and be happy which is why we were able to play well.”
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Est Cola coaches and players share their thoughts after winning a #PVL2024 game. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/dx7usClc1e
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 9, 2024
Trisha Tubu brought Farm Fresh at match point, 14-13, but Patthaisong scored back-to-back hits to steal the advantage, 15-14, before Asaka Tamaru tied the set anew.
Nattharika Wasan blocked Tamaru to regain the match point advantage, 16-15, before Patthaisong drilled the match-winning spike as the Thais finished the elimination with a 1-3 record, hoping Farm Fresh would lose to Creamline on Wednesday for a chance to play in the bronze medal game on Thursday.
“At the beginning of Set 5, I felt more pressure and didn’t play really well. I thought that we could not win today. But the other players fought and were able to connect to win the game,” said Patthaisong, who had 18 points built on 12 kills, three blocks, and three aces.
“I was really excited because this was a big game for us since we’re all still in high school. But today, we fought hard and got the win.”
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Est Cola blew an 11-6 lead in the fourth set as Ckyle Tagsip stepped up for Farm Fresh, tying the set at 14-all with an ace. But Seetaload and Patthaisong restored the order and forced a fifth set.
“I’m really happy that we won this game. I told my players we hope to win today to fight and go to the [medal round],” said Est Cola coach Wanna Buakaew. “In the fourth set, I told my players to serve strong (because) Farm Fresh’s (first ball) receive wasn’t good so they can’t attack with the middle blocker, they can give only open balls. Then, we stop the open (hitter), and then we try to defend and then we can defend and make [a] point back to Farm Fresh. I told every player [to] serve 100% for the set.”
Wasan also stepped up for the Thais with 10 points including two blocks, while setter Panthita Khongnok dished out 24 excellent sets.
Tamaru and Tagsip powered Farm Fresh with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Alyssa Bertolano also stepped up with 14 points, 19 digs, and 18 excellent receptions, while Tubu added 12 points as they remained winless in three games.