Alas Pilipinas Men settled for the bronze medal in the 2024 Southeast Asia V.League first leg following a 26-28, 14-25, 16-25 loss to gold medalist Thailand on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Already assured of the gold before the match, the Thais still brought their A-game to end the first leg unscathed with a 3-0 record without dropping a single set for their first championship in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Filipinos, who played without superstar Bryan Bagunas due to an apparent knee injury he suffered yesterday against Indonesia, ended with a 1-2 record, good for third place as the Indonesians took home the silver.
This is the Philippines’ first medal in the tournament after going winless in the two legs of the inaugural edition last year.
The Filipino spikers opened the game inspired, able to force an extended first set with Leo Ordiales, Michaelo Buddin, and Noel Kampton leading the charge.
The Thais were too composed though as Bhinijdee Napadet’s crosscourt kill gave them the first frame that opened the floodgates for their nation.
With confidence brimming, Thailand dominated Alas Pilipinas in the second with a blazing 11-3 start to a 25-14 win that brought them a set away from the sweep.
Kampton, who replaced Bagunas in the starting six, was the lone Filipino in double figures with 10 points on nine attacks and one ace.
Buddin and Ordiales added seven points apiece in the loss.
The trio of Nilsawai Kissada, Napadet, and Phanram Anurak led the way for the champions.
Kissada, a 6-foot-8 middle blocker, and Napadet each got 14 points while Anurak had 13.
Indonesia positioned itself for a silver finish after escaping Vietnam in five sets earlier in the day, 21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 15-12.
Boy Arnez Arabi and Fahri Septian Putrama delivered 22 and 21 points, respectively for the second-placers, while Tran Duy Tuyen and Pham Van Hiep carried the fight for the winless Vietnamese side with 22 and 19 points.
The second leg will be held in Indonesia starting 23rd of August up to the 25th.
