Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, August 3, 2025 – Thailand staged a dramatic comeback to edge past Vietnam in a nail-biting five-set thriller, 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-17, 15-11) and capture the Week 1 crown of the 5th SEA V League Women’s Tournament at Terminal Hall inside Terminal 21 Korat. The hosts extended their dominance in the regional competition, marking their eighth consecutive SEA V League victory.
Thailand’s triumph added to their illustrious SEA V League resume, which included seven previous titles since the tournament’s inception – formerly known as the ASEAN Grand Prix before evolving into the SEA League and later the SEA V League. In 2019, they swept both Week 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima and Week 2 in Santa Rosa, Philippines. They repeated the feat in 2022 when the sole edition was held in Nakhon Ratchasima. In 2023, Thailand maintained their unbeaten streak by winning in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam and Chiang Mai, Thailand. Last year, they again emerged victorious in both weeks held in Vinh Phuc and Bangkok.
Heading into the final day, both Thailand and Vietnam were unbeaten in their previous two matches, setting the stage for a showdown to determine the Week 1 champions.
World No.20 Thailand, three-time Asian champions and reigning SEA V League titleholders, faced a spirited Vietnamese squad, current world No.24 and AVC Nations Cup winners, led by star spiker Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and the explosive Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen. The visitors silenced the home crowd of 4,000 with a hard-fought 25-23 win in the opening set.
But Thailand responded with characteristic grit. Spearheaded by Pimpichaya Kokram, Warisara Seetaloed, and Thatdao Nuekjang, the home team turned the tide in the second set with fluid combinations and disciplined defense, clinching it 25-19.
Vietnam hit back in the third set with Tuyen and Thanh Thuy continuing their offensive onslaught. As Warisara began to falter, head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai made a tactical switch, replacing her with Sasipaporn Janthawisut, but Vietnam held firm to take the set 25-21.
The fourth set saw Thailand firing on all cylinders. Their balanced offense, led by Pimpichaya and Sasipaporn, combined with rock-solid blocking from Thatdao and Ajcharaporn Kongyot, overwhelmed Vietnam. The Thais raced to a commanding lead and closed out the set 25-17, forcing a decider.
The tie-break saw both teams battling point for point until Thailand edged ahead 11-8 with momentum on their side. Pimpichaya’s crucial points brought Thailand to match point at 14-10. However, Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Uyen gave her team a glimmer of hope with a powerful spike, but the match ended on an anticlimactic note when Tuyen’s serve crashed into the net, sending the Thai fans into raptures.
Pimpichaya starred for Thailand with a team-high 28 points from 26 spikes and 2 aces, while Thatdao and Ajcharaporn added 21 and 14 points respectively. Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen led all scorers with 33 points, followed by Thanh Thuy with 20.
“It was a grueling five-setter, and we’re exhausted,” said Pimpichaya after the match. “I was fortunate to get some rest before facing Vietnam today, which helped. We’ll now head to Vietnam for Week 2. I know it will be tough playing in front of their home fans just like they faced here, but I believe our team can rise to the occasion.”
Earlier in the day, the Philippines clinched third place after a 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-13) victory over Indonesia, marking their third straight bronze in the SEA V League.
Rising star Angel Anne Canino anchored the Philippines’ attack, shining in the first two sets and delivering five of her team’s last six points in the fourth set to seal the win. It was the Philippines’ fifth bronze medal since the regional tournament debuted in 2019.
After a strong start for the first two sets win, the Filipinas stumbled in the third set but quickly regrouped to take the fourth in dominant fashion. Canino, recently named Best Outside Spiker at the AVC Nations Cup in Hanoi, tallied 22 points from 18 attacks and 4 blocks, while Alyssa Solomon and Eya Laure chipped in with 19 and 12 points respectively. Ersandrina Devega Salsabila led Indonesia with 17 points in the loss.
Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum and Thailand Volleyball Association President Somporn Chaibangyang jointly presided over the awards presentation and closing ceremony.
Newly-crowned champions Thailand received the Champions’ Trophy, gold medals, and US$16,000 in prize money. Vietnam, the runners-up, walked away with silver medals and US$13,000. Bronze medallists Philippines earned US$11,000, while fourth-place Indonesia received US$10,000.
The action now shifts to Ninh Binh, Vietnam, where Week 2 of the SEA V League Women’s Tournament will take place from August 8 to 10. The top two teams excluding Thailand, which are already playing in the Volleyball Nations League, will secure tickets to the 2026 AVC Nations Cup.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Outside Hitters
Angel Anne Canino (No.12 Philippines)
Ajcharaporn Kongyot (No.18 Thailand)
Best Opposite Spiker
Nguyễn Thi Bích Tuyển (No.10 Vietnam)
Best Middle Blockers
Thatdao Nuekjang (No.5 Thailand)
Tran Thi Bich Thuy (No.25 Vietnam)
Best Setter
Pornpun Guedpard (No.3 Thailand)
Best Libero
Nguyễn Khanh Dang (No.12 Vietnam)
Most Valuable Player
Pimpichaya Kokram (No.16 Thailand)
WEEK 1 RANKING
1. Thailand
2.Vietnam
3.Philippines
4.Indonesia
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