It has been 10 years since Thailand’s Pleumjit Thinkaow last played in the Philippines and she’s glad to be back once again.
Playing for defending champions Bangkok Glass in the 2016 AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna, the longtime National Team captain drew a hundreds of Filipino fans.
“The Philippines is not too different from Thailand – from the weather to the support for volleyball,” the famed middle hitter told Tiebreaker Times.
“I’m really happy that the fans came to support me and especially the team. I know that Philippine fans follow also Thailand volleyball and today a few came to support.
“I’m very happy. Thank you very much,” she continued.
The field in this edition of AVC AWCC is tough with China, Japan, and Kazakstan sending formidable clubs. Pleumjit says that the goal for Bangkok Glass is still to take home the championship.
“We will try our best, and do our best. Our goal is to become the champions,” she remarked.
Just a few months ago, Pleumjit and the Thai National Team competed their hearts out and almost took their country to its first ever Olympic appearance in volleyball in the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Japan.
Pleumjit Thinkaow celebrates with her team (Photo by Roman Prospero)
But the Thais bowed out in controversial fashion to the hosts. A lot of words have been said through social media and there were even Thai officials resigning from their posts in the FIVB following the loss.
Pleumjit was one of the most emotional players after the loss since it was her last chance to make the Olympics. Now, she has moved on and is looking forward to making the most out of her last playing years.
“We’re sorry about what happened in Japan. We accept that it’s a sport – sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. I know that I tried my best and it’s not my fault,” Pleumjit said of the incident.
“I started playing for Thailand in 2001. I’m 33 now so, I don’t know, the max is maybe two more years.”
