The Philippine women’s team lost its chance of making it to the gold medal match following a 0-2 loss to holders Thailand in the 31st Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball competitions on Thursday at the Tuan Chau Beach, Quang Ninh.
The men’s team also took a heartbreaking 1-2 semifinal loss to Thailand to similarly fall short in its gold medal contest bid.
Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons dropped a 20-22, 15-21 decision to Taravadee Naraphornrapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee. Meanwhile, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Dij Rodriguez suffered their first loss in the competition after bowing to Varapatsorn Radarong and Tanarattha Udomchavee, 18-21, 15-21.
The Thais went perfect in five matches while the Filipinas ended their round-robin stint with a 3-2 won-lost record in third place.
The Philippines hopes to duplicate its bronze medal finish in 2019 with a rematch with Vietnam at 11:30 AM (Manila time) on Friday. The Filipinas beat the Vietnamese, 2-0, last Wednesday.
Indonesia will play Thailand for the gold following a 2-1 conquest of Vietnam for a 4-1 slate in second spot.
Meanwhile, Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton failed to sustain the magic that gave them the top spot in Pool A after losing to Surin Jongklang and Banlue Nakprakhong, 18-21, 18-21 in the golden match.
It was Ranran Abdilla and Requinton who dragged the Thais to a decider after a 21-19, 21-13 win over Pithak Tipjan and Poravid Taovalo.
Surin and Banlue took the upper hand with a 22-20, 21-14 conquest of Garcia and Krung Arbasto.
The Filipinos will play Vietnam, which it defeated 2-1 on Wednesday to become the Pool A winners, at 10:45 AM (Manila time) on Friday.
Defending champion Indonesia swept Vietnam, 2-0, to arrange a showdown with Thailand for the gold.
