Asian Games: PH volleyball team bows to Thailand in opener

JAKARTA -- (UPDATED) Thailand gave the Philippine women’s volleyball team a rude welcome back to Asian Games competition.

The team, playing in the Asiad for the first time in 36 years, were swept in straight sets by the Southeast Asian powerhouse as they failed to sustain a fast start.

The Thais recovered from a seven-point deficit in Set 1 to eventually claim a 25-22, 25-12, 25-15, at the Gelora Bung Karno complex on Sunday afternoon in Jakarta.

Thanks to the superb service game of Jaja Santiago, the Philippines roared to a 9-2 start in Set 1 but could not hold against the Thais’ comeback.

Sparked by skipper Pleumjit Thinkaow, the Thais scored six straight points to take a 16-15 lead, though the Philippines worked their way back on top with a 4-0 run of their own for a 19-16 lead -- a run capped by back-to-back hits from Alyssa Valdez.

The Thais were simply more composed down the stretch, however, with kills from Pimpichaya Kokram, and aces from Hattaya Bamrungsuk propelling them to the come-from-behind win.

“Medyo nag-collapse kami,” admitted Coach Shaq delos Santos of their first set performance.

“I think yung sa ending kailangan pukpok pa kami, kailangan mag-all out pa rin. So yun nga, medyo stiff rin,” he added.

“Yun nga yung second set and third set medyo masyadong gigil. Sabi ko nga kailangan composed lang, kailangan relaxed tayo at the same time dapat gumagalaw nang maayos.”

The SEA Games gold medalists would go on to cruise in the next two sets for their first win in Group A.

Alyssa Valdez had seven points for the Philippines, while Jaja Santiago and Kianna Dy had six points each.

Chatchu-on Moksri had 15 points for Thailand.