The Philippine men’s beach volleyball team secured a spot in the semifinals of the 31st Southeast Asian Games after eliminating Cambodia, 2-0, on Tuesday at the Tuan Chau Beach in Quang Ninh.
Jude Garcia and Krung Arbasto topped Chuk Sophea and Thy Menghuong, 21-15, 21-16, while Ranran Abdilla and Jaron Requinton defeated Oem Narit and Som Samith, 21-14, 21-14, to raise the Filipinos’ Pool A record to 2-0 won-lost.
The Philippines, bronze medalists in 2019, will face host Vietnam, which swept Singapore in the other match, for the top ranking in Pool A at 3 p.m. (Manila time) on Wednesday.
The winner will face the second-ranked team in Pool B while the loser will take on the No. 1 squad in the other bracket.
Reigning champion Indonesia leads Pool B with a 2-0 card, while 2019 runners-up Thailand is tied with Malaysia in second place at 1-1.
The Philippine women’s team, meanwhile, suffered a 1-2 loss to 2019 silver medalist Indonesia to drop in a three-way tie at second place.
Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons bowed to Dhita Juliana and Putu Utami in the golden match, 15-21, 19-21, allowing the Indonesians to escape with the win.
Jovelyn Gonzaga and Dij Rodriguez forced a decider after a 21-13, 21-19 victory over Martha Rahawarin and Nur Atika Sari after Rondina and Pons lost to Dhita and Putu, 19-21, 17-21, in the opener.
With a 2-1 card, the Philippines is now tied with Indonesia and host Vietnam, which defeated Singapore, 2-0.
The Filipinas must beat the Vietnamese at 10 a.m. (Manila time) on Wednesday to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the gold medal match.
Holders Thailand remained the only unbeaten team at 3-0 following a 2-0 romp of Malaysia.
