Manila, Philippines, August 17, 2024 – Thailand extended their remarkable unbeaten run after their tightly-contested 3-0 win against Vietnam, as Indonesia regained the lost pride following their comeback 3-1 win against hosts Philippines on Day 2 of the 2024 SEA V. League First Leg at Ninoy Aquino Stadium here on Saturday.
Current world No.64 and 2023 AVC Challenge Cup champions Thailand, which kicked off the single round-robin SEA V. League here with stunning 3-0 victory against Indonesia in their campaign opener on Friday, overcame a strong challenge from Vietnam to demolish the world No.54 in thrilling straight sets 27-25, 29-27, 25-15 in 96 minutes, while current world No.53 Indonesia bounced back to beat world No.61 Philippines 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-21).
After the first two days, Thailand stayed atop the four-team standing with 6 points from two wins in succession without dropping a single set, while hosts Philippines, though going down 1-3 to Indonesia, are trailing in second place with 3 points from one win against one loss.
World No.53 Indonesia, defending and 12-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions, had the similar performance as Philippines, but due to the host side’s better sets ratio, the Indonesians came in third place. Vietnam finished on the bottom fourth position with no point earned following two losses in a row.
On Sunday, the last day of the first leg in Manila, Vietnam will go up against Indonesia, while hosts Philippines will challenge formidable Thailand in their last encounter. The team with the best performance in the three-day tournament will be crowned champions.
Against Vietnam on Saturday, Thailand fielded the similar strong lineup which had beaten Indonesia in straight sets on Friday. The Thai team had handed Indonesia the first-ever loss in the SEA V. League since it got off the ground last year with the first leg being held in Indonesia and the second leg in Philippines.
Spearheaded by opposite Napadet Bhinijdee, who played for Jakarta Garuda Jaya in Indonesian Men’s Proliga in 2023-2024 season, the Thai squad were also strong offensively with the likes of veteran middle blocker Kissada Nilsawai, who stands 202cm tall, and powerful hitters Anurak Phanram and Chaiwat Thungkham. Vietnam were led by opposite Pham Van Hiep and outside hitter Duong Van Tien, who scored 15 points apiece in their first match against Philippines.
Vietnam made a strong start to take the commanding lead with a four-point clear at 17-13, but Kissada’s outstanding performance including his fast attacks and effective blocks helped put Thailand back on the right track to level it at 22-22. From then on, both sides gave it all out to win the opening set. Outside hitter Nguyen Ngoc Thuan carried out an ace service to bring Vietnam to the set point at 25-24, but they just let the win slip through their fingers. Thailand hit back, with left-hander Amornthep Khonhan attacking devastatingly to level it 25-25 and moments later the Thais scored two points in a row to win the hard-fought set 27-25.
Both sides still locked horns in intense second set, but Vietnam gained an upper hand to lead all the way, with Thailand hot on their heels. As Napadet, Chaiwat and Anurak unleashed back-to-back attacks, middle blocker Anuchit Pakdeekaew and setter Boonyarid Wongtorn blocked effectively to help Thailand tie the score at 23-23. However, a powerful hit from Anurak touched the antenna, handing Vietnam the set point 24-23.
Still, Thailand never gave up. They fought back, displaying consistency and resilience and their determination paid off handsomely shortly after that, with the score tied at 24-24. The on-going fight turned a see-saw battle as leads changed hands. The 190cm-tall Pham Van Hiep produced a big hit to level it 27-27, but things turned sour for Vietnam. Middle blocker Truong The Khai had a service error to award Thailand the set point at 28-27 and Napadet fired an off-the-block kill for the team’s thrilling win, 29-27
The third set was on the Thailand’s way as they led from the beginning 8-5 and courtesy of Vietnam’s increasing unforced mistakes, they extended it to 20-12 and never looked back from then on. Thailand captured the comfortable set 25-15 and match.
Opposite Napadet Bhinijdee chipped in 13 points from 11 kills and 2 aces for Thailand, while middle blocker Kissada Nilsawai and outside hitter Chaiwat Thungkham had productive shifts to contribute 12 and 11 points respectively. Outside hitter Nguyen Ngoc Thuan scored a match-high 17 points from 12 kills, 3 blocks and 2 aces on the Vietnam’s loss.
Thailand dominated all elements of skill. With great balance in blocks, where the Thais had the edged by 14 to 8, and points earned in opponent error, where they had a 22-21 advantage, the Thai dominance in kills (40 to 34) and aces (5 to 4) was pivotal to their victory.
Meanwhile, hosts Philippines suffered setbacks on Saturday after succumbing to 1-3 loss to Indonesia and losing ace spiker Bryan Bagunas in the process.
The host side started strong to clinch the well-fought first set 25-23, but could not maintain their rhythm to go down three sets in a row 19-25, 11-25, 21-25 for the eventual 1-3 letdown.
With the Indonesians a point away from sealing the deal in four sets, middle blocker Ahmad Gumilar committed a service error before Bagunas produced a back row attack to keep hopes of the host nation alive 21-24, late in the fourth set.
To save the day for Philippines, the 194cm-tall outside hitter Bagunas from Cignal went for a powerful jump serve but landed awkwardly on his left foot, eventually clutching his left knee as he grimaced in pain. With the ball still alive, outside hitter Farhan Halim went for the counter and finished things off for the Indonesians. Bagunas was stretchered out of the court immediately after the match.
Outside hitter Fahri Septian Putrama delivered 21 points from 19 kills and 2 blocks for Indonesia, while fellow outside hitter Halim Farhan and middle blocker Hendra Kurniawan added 16 and 13 points respectively. The injured outside hitter Bryan Bagunas led Philippines with 17 points, all in attack, while fellow outside hitter Michaelo Buddin and middle blocker Kim Malabunga chipped in 16 and 7 markers respectively.
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