YOKKAICHI, Japan — Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella pulled off a massive upset over Japan to advance to the semifinals, while Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Thailand in the women’s beach volleyball event of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Wednesday at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court here.
World No. 90 Pagara and Progella stunned sisters Ren and Non Matsumoto, who are ranked No. 40, in straight sets, 24-22, 22-20, to book their spot in the semifinals.
The breakthrough marked a significant improvement from their previous Asian Games campaign, where they finished ninth in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.
Meanwhile, Rondina and Pons overcame a tough start to force a deciding set against Kongphopsarutawadee Worapeerachayakorn and Taravadee Naraphornrapat—the same Thai duo they defeated to win a historic gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games—but eventually fell, 17-21, 21-12, 13-15, in the quarterfinals.
The ‘SiPons’ duo held a 13-11 lead in the final frame before Worapeerachayakorn and Naraphornrapat unleashed a lethal 4-0 run to close out the match and secure their spot in the semifinals.
The victory served as a measure of revenge for the Thai pair, who had previously been denied the gold medal by Rondina and Pons at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on their home court.
The University of Santo Tomas stars advanced to the quarterfinals after a 26-24, 21-18 win over Hong Kong’s Ngok Ling Tsang and Wong Man Ching, while the reigning SEA Games gold medalists defeated Sakura Ito and Mayo Sawame, 21-17, 21-15, in the Round of 16.
Pagara and Progella will have a chance to avenge their fellow Filipinas when they take on the Thai duo in the semifinals on Thursday at 9 a.m. at the same venue.
