Choco Mucho yielded to home team Nakhon Ratchasima QminC, 11-25, 26-28, 17-25, to open their 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship campaign, Friday at the Terminal 21 Hall in Thailand.
Facing a nine-point deficit, 15-24, a Sirima Manakit service error gave Choco Mucho a chance followed by a Ria Meneses ace.
However, it was too little, too late as Wanitchaya Luangtonglang fired an off-the-block kill to complete the sweep for Nakhon.
“This is our first game so we’re a little stiff. We’ll always have improvements,” said MJ Phillips after the match.
“This COVID, for some of the ladies it’s been two years, they haven’t played for a while so we’re shaking off the rust but we’re gonna get back to it,” continued the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtor.
After a lopsided opening frame, Choco Mucho retaliated with a strong showing the next set with Deanna Wong facilitating, replacing starter Iris Tolenada.
Photo from SMM Volleyball
The Filipinas reached set point after three consecutive Kalei Mau points off a crosscourt hit, a down-the-line attack, and a block, 24-22.
However, two errors from Choco Mucho and a crosscourt spike by Kannika Thipachot gave Nakhon the lead but Dell Palomata converted on a quick kill before Mylene Paat nailed a crosscourt hit to recover the lead, 26-25.
Photo from SMM Volleyball
Then Thipachot, Chatchu-on Moksri, and Kuttika Kaewpin joined hands to deliver three straight blows and tow Nakhon on the verge of a sweep, 28-26.
Thipachot’s spike, which was first deemed out, was challenged by Nakhon’s coaches and the call was overturned to give the Thais the early 1-0 set.
Moksri was all over the place and tallied 20 points built on 18 attacks, a block, and a service ace.
Thipachot followed suit with 14 points in the match that lasted 1 hour and 19 minutes.
Mau, who just joined Choco Mucho in Thailand, unloaded 12 points including a kill block.
Lefty Mylene Paat also made her presence felt off the bench, producing eight points, including five in the tight second set.
Photo from SMM Volleyball
Choco Mucho aims for their first win tomorrow when they battle Zhetyssu of Kazakhstan at 1:30 pm.
