VOLLEYBALL – THAILAND won their opening game in the ninth-to-11th classification bracket last night in the AVC Men’s Volleyball Nations Cup 2025, currently being hosted by Bahrain.
The Thais defeated their counterparts from the Philippines 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-18) at Isa bin Rashid Arena, located at Isa Sports City in Riffa.
It was their first victory of the tournament after earlier losing both their preliminary round fixtures. The Filipinos continue to search for their first win in the kingdom.
Attending last night’s contest were Bahrain Volleyball Association president Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, BVA secretary general and the competition’s executive committee chairman Feras Al Helwachi, and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president and Philippine National Volleyball Federation chief Ramon Suzara, who arrived in the kingdom yesterday.
This phase of the competition continues tomorrow when Thailand face New Zealand, who are also looking to secure their maiden triumph. Their game is scheduled for a 2pm start.
The Philippines and New Zealand will then clash on the tournament’s final day on Tuesday at 12noon to determine the three teams’ final ranking.
In yesterday’s contest, the two sides were even for much of the opening set, until Thailand began to pull away midway through. They rode their momentum into the second and relied on their superior attack to take the two-set advantage. In the third, they went ahead early and never looked back.
“We are very happy that we got this first win but we are a little disappointed from the pool round and that we have come down to the ninth-to-11th ranking in this competition,” said Thailand captain and opposite spiker Amornthep Khonhan through an interpreter.
“We are now playing to have our ranking higher after this competition.”
Khonhan finished as Thailand’s leading scorer with 14 points, while outside hitters Anurak Phanram and Chaiwat Thungkham contributed 12 apiece. Outside hitter Michaelo Buddin had eight markers to pace the Philippines, while middle blocker Rwenzmel Taguibolos and outside hitter Louie Ramirez finished with six points each.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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