๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐
Just a week after bowing to the Filipinos in a five-set thriller on Philippine soil, Thailand flipped the script and swept Alas Pilipinas, 25โ21, 25โ20, 25โ18, in the 9thโ11th classification round of the 2025 AVC Nations Cup at the Isa Bin Rashid Hall, Isa Town, Bahrain, on June 21.
The defeat marked the third straight loss for the national squad, officially knocking them out of top-eight contention in the tournament.
Still reeling from earlier setbacks against Chinese Taipei and Pakistan, Alas Pilipinas struggled to find footingโthis time with team captain Marck Espejo held to just a single point, a far cry from his 31-point eruption last week.
Thailand came in with laser focus and adjustments, zeroing in on Espejo and capitalizing on the Philippinesโ unforced errorsโseven of which came from the service line in the opening set alone.
Buds Buddin led the scoring with eight points, while Leo Ordiales and Louie Ramirez chipped in six apiece to keep things competitive early.
Rwenzmel Taguibolos anchored the defense with four blocks, but Thailandโs balanced offense proved too steady to shake.
Amornthep Khonhan led Thailandโs redemption charge with 14 points, while Phanram Anurak and Chaiwat Thungkham added 12 apiece to power the sweep.
The Thais seized control late in the third set, eventually earning six match points before Amornthep capped the sweep with a decisive service ace, 25-18.
With one match remaining in the classification round, Alas Pilipinas will try to end their AVC campaign on a high when they face New Zealand on June 24.
Despite the string of losses, the AVC Nations Cup remains a crucial part of the Philippinesโ preparation for their hosting of the 2025 FIVB Menโs Volleyball World Championship later this year.
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