Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC celebrate their win.
Photos courtesy of Thailand Volleyball Association
Bangkok, Thailand, December 20, 2020 – Defending champions Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC and pre-tournament favourites Diamond Food lived up to their expectations to claim two wins in succession in the men’s event of the Thailand Volleyball League 2020-2021 season, as title-holders Supreme Chonburi E-Tech powered past Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC to remain the strongest contenders in the women’s competition.
Nakhon Ratchasima’s captain Chutchu-on Moksri and Supreme’s captain Wilavan Apinyapong pose with referees.
Supreme’s Pleumjit Thinkaow spikes past Nakhon Ratchasima’s blocker.
The first leg of the top-level professional volleyball league in Thailand continued its campaign in the second week at Nimibutr Gymnasium here from December 19 to 20, with participating teams determined to come up with their top form to stay on track for the title.
In the men’s event on Saturday, defending and six-time champions Nakhon Ratchasima, led by talented Wanchai Tabwises, who landed the MVP title in the previous season, and hard-attacking Jakkrit Chandahuadong, made it two in a row.
Nakhon Ratchasima’s captain Wanchai Tabwises jumps to block a drop from Prince VC.
After a brilliant start by beating Air Force 3-1 last Sunday, Nakhon Ratchasima pulled off an impressive 3-1 (25-22 22-25 25-23 25-20) victory over Prince VC, while 2018-2019 champions Air Force, which had already suffered their first loss, regained their lost pride following their 3-1 (25-23 23-25 25-22 25-16) win against Phitsanulok VC.
The other two matches contested at the same venue on Sunday saw Diamond Food VC and Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana claim their successive two victories in the tournament.
Diamond Food VC celebrate their point won.
Star-studded Diamond Food on Sunday fielded a strong lineup including two Thailand national players, Kantapat Koonmee and Kissada Nilsawai, two former national players, Jirayu Raksakaew and Kittikun Sriuttawong, and Brazilian Andre Luiz Queiroz Franca to brush off Visakha in straight sets 25-15 25-18 25-23.
Visakha’s Kritsada Somkhane leaps to drop over the Diamond Food’s blockers.
The victory stretched Diamond Food’s winning record to two in a row, as they emerged as the only team in the men’s event not to lose a set to their respective rivals after two weeks in the Thailand’s top-flight competition.
Diamond Food’s Andre Luiz Queiroz Franca makes a hand signal.
Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana, which struggled to beat Visakha 3-2 in their opening clash last Saturday, also clinched another win on Sunday following their scintillating 3-0 (25-20 25-15 25-13) triumph over Kasetsart VC.
Next Saturday, Diamond Food VC, chasing dreams of winning the Thailand League title for the first time, are due to take on Air Force, while Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC go up against Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana in a battle of the two unbeaten teams. Phitsanulok VC will challenge Prince VC next Sunday, with Visakha taking on Kasetsart VC.
In the women’s competition on Saturday, reigning and three-time champions Supreme Chonburi E-Tech, strengthened by many Thailand national players Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wipawee Srithong, Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Watchareeya Nualjam, cruised to a dramatic 3-1 (25-23 23-25 25-20 25-18) victory over former four-time champions Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC, with sensation Chutchu-on Moksri at the helm.
Nakhon Ratchasima’s Chutchu-on Moksri attacks.
The second match of the day saw Proflex VC struggle hard to beat RSU in hard-fought five-set thriller 25-21 23-25 25-19 22-25 15-10.
On Sunday, Thailand head coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul’s Diamond Food VC went down to 3BB Nakornnont in five-setter. Led by powerful Onuma Sittirak, Thanatcha Suksod and Jarasporn Bundasak, Diamond Food took the first set 25-16, but lost the next two 14-25 17-25.
Diamond Food’s Onuma Sittirak receives.
Despite 1-2 disadvantage, Diamond Food gathered their courage and hit back with fierce spikes and effective blocks to win the fourth set 25-21, forcing 3BB Nakornnont to contest the deciding fifth set. However, things turned sour for Diamond Food as the well-established rivals performed superbly to win the thrilling tie-breaker 15-12 and the match.
3BB Nakornnont’s Pimpichaya Kokram attacks Diamond Food.
3BB Nakornnont celebrate their win.
The other match saw Khonkaen Star VC, which got off to a great start with a 3-0 win against 3BB Nakornnont last week, remain in awesome form to breeze past Samut Prakarn in comfortable straight sets 25-15 25-14 25-18.
Khonkaen Star VC captured two successive wins aside from emerging as the only team not to lose a single set to their respective rivals in the women’s event.
Khonkaen Star VC celebrate their second win in the season.
Next Saturday, Diamond Food VC will take on RSU, while Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC will be pitted against Khonkaen Star VC. The next day will see Supreme Chonburi E-Tech play Proflex VC and 3BB Nakornnont meet Samut Prakarn.
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