Manila, Philippines, August 18, 2024 – Thailand powered past hosts Philippines in straight sets in their last encounter of the 2024 SEA V. League at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, completing the first-leg campaign with remarkable unbeaten record to be crowned champions for the first time.
On Sunday, the last day of the single round-robin competition, Indonesia struggled hard to beat Vietnam in epic tie-breaker 21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 15-12 in exhausting 139 minutes, while Thailand overcame the strong challenge from Philippines in the first set to beat the host side in straight sets 28-26, 25-14, 25-16 in 83 minutes.
At conclusion of the three-day championship, Thailand finished on top of the four-team standing with 9 points from three straight wins without dropping a set to be crowned the 2024 SEA V. League first-leg champions. Indonesia came in second place with 5 points from two wins against one loss. Hosts Philippines finished third place with 3 points from one win against two losses, with winless Vietnam on the bottom fourth position with only one point earned.
The debut edition of the SEA Men’s V. League was held last year, with the first leg being held in Indonesia and the second leg contested in Philippines. World No.53 Indonesia, defending and 12-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions, reigned supreme at both legs.
Current world No.62 Thailand, which captured the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup title to their name, had disappointing outings last year. They finished second in the 2023 SEA V. League first leg in Bogor, Indonesia, but dropped to third position in the second leg in Santa Rosa, Philippines. Thailand, former eight-time SEA Games winners, also failed to make their mark at last year’s SEA Games in Cambodia to return with a below-par fourth place aside from finishing ninth place at the Iran-hosted Asian Senior Men’s Championship and a distant 10th position at the Hangzhou Asian Games in China.
However, Thailand came much stronger this time as they brought their best players to the first leg in Philippines including veteran middle blockers Kissada Nilsawai and Anuchit Pakdeekaew, opposite Napadet Bhinijdee, who made his presence felt at the Indonesian Men’s Proliga in 2023-2024 season with Jakarta Garuda Jaya Club, hard-attacking Anurak Phanram, Chaiwat Thungkham and left-hander opposite and skipper Amornthep Khonhan.
Thailand had already beaten Indonesia 3-0 and repeated the similar feat with another 3-0 win against Vietnam to stay atop the four-team standing with 6 points after the first two days. Philippines and Indonesia were trailing in second and third places respectively with similar performance of 3 points from one win against one loss, with winless Vietnam in fourth position with no point earned.
And following the Indonesia’s dramatic 3-2 win against Vietnam in the opening match on Sunday, Thailand were ensured of winning the gold medal before the match against Philippines due to the better sets ratio.
Against the host side, which were playing without their key player and skipper Bryan Bagunas due to a knee injury he sustained in the previous match against Indonesia, Thailand started a strong first set with opposite Napadet, outside hitter Anurak and middle blocker Kissada leading the team’s offense. Philippines also opened the set inspired with opposite Leo Ordiales, outside hitter Michaelo Buddin, and fellow outside hitter Noel Michael Kampton orchestrating the offensive system.
Thanks to the Napadet’s exceptional cross-court attacks and Kissada’s solid blocks, Thailand took the tightly-contested first set 28-26.
With confidence brimming following their set win, Thailand used their offensive mobility of spectacular attacks from Anurak and fast spikes from Kissada and Anuchit to dominate the second set with a blazing 11-3 start to a lopsided 25-14 win that brought them a set away from a sensational win against the host side and a perfect sweep in the first leg in Manila.
The third set also turned out to be another one-sided affair as, though Philippines put their acts together in an effort of making amends for the loss in the first two sets, Thailand remained unstoppable. Kissada fired a lightning fast attack to bring Thailand to the set and match point at 24-15. However, Philippines fought back to win one more point before Napadet slammed a powerful hit to end the hosts’ challenge. Thailand took the set 25-16 and match.
Middle blocker Kissada Nilsawai and opposite Napadet Bhinijdee delivered 14 points apiece for Thailand, while outside hitter Anurak Phanram contributed 13 points. Outside hitter Noel Michael Kampton, who came in place of the injured Bagunas in the starting lineup, was the lone Philippine player who reached double digits with 10 points, while opposite Leo Ordiales and Michaelo Buddin added 7 points each on the team’s loss.
Thailand dominated all elements of skill featuring kills (44 to 37), blocks (11 to 5), aces (4 to 1), also benefitting from more opponent errors (19 to 13).
Earlier, Indonesia struggled hard to put it past the fighting Vietnamese in hard-fought five sets 21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 15-10 to secure the silver medal.
Outside hitter Arabi Boy Arnez and outside hitter Putrama Fahri Septian were instrumental in lifting the Indonesia’s comeback 3-2 win as they were on fire to register 22 and 21 points respectively for the team. Hendra added another 11 points.
Middle blocker Tran Duy Tuyen was the Vietnam’s most productive player with 22 points from 16 kills, 4 blocks and 2 aces on the team’s loss. Opposite Pham Van Hiep and middle blocker Nguyen Thanh Hai contributed 19 and 13 respectively.
Mr Ramon Suzara, President of Philippine National Volleyball Federation, along with other PNVF executives, presided over the awards presentation and closing ceremony on Sunday to present trophies, medals and cash prizes to the Top 3 teams and the trophy plus cash prize to fourth place Vietnam.
Thailand – first-leg champions
Indonesia – silver medal
Philippines – bronze medal
Vietnam – fourth place
Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Philippines will next start their second-leg journey in the 2024 SEA V. League between August 23 and 25 in Indonesia.
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