The Philippine women’s national volleyball team suffered its second loss in the 2023 Southeast Asia VLeague, being handed a 19-25, 7-25, 17-25 beat down by Thailand at the Vinh Phuc Hall on Saturday.
After keeping it close in the opener, the Filipinas, led by collegiate stars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, fell prey to a much more experienced Thai side that limited them to as low as seven points in the second set.
Tichakorn Boonlert hammered down back-to-back quick attacks late in the second frame, kick-starting a 5-0 finishing run that put Thailand ahead 2-0 in the match.
Despite a deflating turnout in the second set, the Philippines managed to fight back in the third, tying the game at 16-all after a Solomon off-the-block hit. However, Thailand, capitalizing on the Filipinas’ errors, went on a 5-0 rally, putting them ahead 21-16.
Belen stopped the bleeding with a pipe attack, but Sasipaporn Janthawisut answered with an off-the-block hit before capping off a 4-0 blast with an ace that handed the Philippines its second loss of the tournament.
The Filipinas, who now have a 0-2 standing, are no longer in contention for the gold medal.
The Philippines will face Indonesia tomorrow, possibly competing for the bronze medal, on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the same venue.
