The Philippine women’s national volleyball team was overpowered by host Thailand in its 2023 Southeast Asia VLeague second leg debut, losing 15-25, 17-25, 18-25, on Friday evening at the crowded Chiang Mai 700th Anniversary Sports Complex.
After trailing by as much as six in the third set, the Philippines rallied with three straight points punctuated by a Nina Ytang quick kill to cut the deficit in half, 16-19.
However, two straight errors by the Nationals gave the momentum back to Thais, who ended the match on a 6-2 blast.
The young Nationals got the first point of the match off a Pornpun Guedpard service error then it was all Thailand after that.
The Thais, who won the gold in Leg 1, bounced back right away and erected a 9-2 lead en route to the 25-15 blowout first frame.
The Philippines was able to keep it close in the early goings of the second period but four unanswered points by Thailand, capped by Chatchu-on Moksri’s attack, widened the gap, 13-7.
Brazilian Jorge Souza de Brito returned as the national team’s head coach after handing the reins to Norman Miguel in the first leg.
The starters of the Philippines were the same with the previous leg in Vietnam, opting to go with Bella Belen, Vange Alinsug, and Alyssa Solomon as its wing spikers; AC Miner and Chams Maaya as its middle blockers; Camilla Lamina as its setter, and Roma Mae Doromal as its libero.
Up next for the Filipina squad is Vietnam tomorrow at 1 p.m. (Manila time).
