Philippines falters vs Vietnam in SEA VLeague

The Philippines during a game against Vietnam at the SEA VLeague second leg in Thailand. PHOTO FROM SEA VLEAGUE

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s volleyball team couldn’t carry the momentum of its second set win, falling to Vietnam sans its star Trần Thị Thanh Thúy, 19-25, 27-25, 29-31, 14-25, in the Southeast Asian (SEA) VLeague second leg on Saturday at Chiang Mai Sports Complex in Thailand.

Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen led the Nationals to a big second set win and moved on the verge of winning the third frame as well but the Vietnamese saved three set-point advantages before Vi Thi Nhu Quynh and Doan Thi Xuan put on the finishing touches to take a 2-1 match lead.

The Vietnamese, who won the silver medal of the first leg, dominated the fourth set with a 22-11 spread off Xuan’s attack en route to a 2-0 record ahead of their gold medal match against four-time champion Thailand on Sunday.

The Philippines pulled off its first set win in the second leg in Set 2 as Nina Ytang capped the team’s three-straight points to erase a 17-20 deficit and tie it to 20-all before Solomon and Belen brought them at set point, 24-23.

Philippines during a game against Vietnam at the SEA VLeague second leg in Thailand. PHOTO FROM SEA VLEAGUE

Pham Thi Nguyet Anh tied the set with a cross-court hit before Belen brought back the lead on their side but Tran Thi Bich Thuy equalized it anew at 25-all. Solomon nailed a clutch attack for the set point followed by Ly Thi Luyen’s attack error to take the second set.

The Nationals dropped to 0-2 following a 15-25, 17-25, 18-25 loss to Thailand on Friday ahead of their bronze medal match against Indonesia on Sunday.

Vange Alinsug was also instrumental for the Filipino Spikers mostly composed of National University players with team captain Lams Lamina orchestrating the plays of coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

The Philippines has yet to win in this year’s SEA VLeague after five games including a 0-3 finish in the first leg.