Philippines claim bronze
Ninh Binh, Vietnam, August 10, 2025 – Vietnam pulled off a sensational fightback to stun defending eight-time champions Thailand with an epic 3-2 victory in the title showdown of the 5th SEA V League 2025 Women’s Week 2 at the Ninh Binh Provincial Gymnasium.
In front of a raucous sell-out crowd of 3,040, the hosts clawed their way back from two sets down to clinch their maiden triumph over their long-time nemesis, and with it, an unprecedented championship crown in the prestigious regional competition.
Vietnam’s magnificent come-from-behind 3-2 (17-25, 24-26, 25-17, 25-22, 16-14) masterpiece on Sunday sent the home fans into delirium. Never before in the history of the SEA Games or the SEA V League had Vietnam beaten Thailand, having settled for SEA Games silver and six successive SEA V League runners-up finishes.
This victory ended that drought in dramatic fashion, leaving the players on cloud nine and their supporters walking tall in jubilation.
World No.21 and Asian champions Thailand entered the contest with their star-studded roster: Pimpichaya Kokram, Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Hattaya Bamrungsuk, Thatdao Nuekjang, and the returning Chatchu-on Moksri, who missed Week 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima due to an injury.
Hosts Vietnam, ranked just one place lower at No.22 and reigning AVC Nations Cup champions, fielded their own heavy artillery, led by the towering Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and the explosive Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen.
Ajcharaporn and Chatchu-on spearheaded a blistering Thai assault, powering the visitors to a commanding 25-17 first-set win. The second set saw Vietnam surge ahead 15-10, with Bich Tuyen and Thanh Thuy and Tran Thi Bich Thuy tearing the Thai defence. But the hosts faltered with errors, allowing Thailand to claw back to 18-all. Pimpichaya’s lethal spikes earned Thailand a 24-22 set point, and despite Vietnam’s late rally to 24-all, a Chatchu-on winner sealed the set 26-24 for a 2-0 lead.
Refusing to go quietly, Vietnam unleashed a wave of aggressive attacks through Bich Tuyen, Thanh Thuy, and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, while Bich Thuy and Doan Thi Lam Oanh fortified the backcourt.
Thailand’s rhythm faltered, and tactical changes by coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai failed to halt the momentum. Vietnam stormed through the third and fourth sets, 25-17 and 25-22, forcing a winner-takes-all tiebreak.
The fifth set was a nail-biter from start to finish. With Bich Tuyen in unstoppable form, Vietnam reached match point at 14-13. Ajcharaporn leveled at 14-all, but the hosts kept their nerve, bagging the final two points, capped by Bich Tuyen’s thunderous spike, to seal a 16-14 victory and a historic breakthrough.
Bich Tuyen delivered a jaw-dropping 45 points (42 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace), while Thanh Thuy and Nhu Quynh chipped in 11 apiece. Pimpichaya led Thailand with 25 points, supported by Chatchu-on (19) and Ajcharaporn (17).
“We lost a tough 2-3 match to Vietnam,” admitted Thai captain Ajcharaporn. “We couldn’t execute our side-outs and stop their runs, and the momentum shifted their way. Vietnam played better today. They had a true finisher who could deliver when it mattered. This loss will be a valuable lesson as we prepare for the World Championship on home soil.”
Earlier, AVC Nations Cup silver medallists the Philippines defeated Indonesia in straight sets, 25-17, 25-17, 28-26, to clinch their fourth consecutive SEA V League bronze medal.
After cruising through the first two sets, the Philippines were forced to weather a stern challenge in the third. With Indonesia threatening to extend the match after taking leads of 23-20 and 26-25, the Filipinas had to dig deep in the closing stages.
Ejiya Laure sparked the fightback with three consecutive points to level at 23-all. When Indonesia regained the edge, Mhicaela Belen struck the equalizer at 26-all, and Angel Anne Canino followed up to put the team in the driver’s seat at 27-26. Moments later, an attack error by Ersandrina Devega sealed the straight-set victory for the Philippines.
The triumph marked the Philippines’ sixth SEA V League medal overall and their fourth consecutive bronze since the tournament’s inception in 2019.
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