Spikers bag bronze

BACOLOD — The Filipino spikers failed to check a tough Thailand side and took a numbing 19-25, 11-25, 12-25 setback yesterday to bow out of the gold medal race in women’s volleyball in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games at the West Negros Gym here yesterday.

Cherry Macatangay, awesome with her spikes and impressive with her blocks, came out strong in the first set but could not sustain her form as the Thais quickly adjusted and reasserted their supremacy with solid team play.

With the loss, the RP volleybelles, who closed out with a 2-2 mark, settled for a bronze medal in the event they prepared long and hard for.

Pleumjit Thinkaow and Saymai Paladsrichhuwy played true to form to carry the Thais to the straight-set victory. The Thais gun for a sweep against the Singaporeans at 2 p.m. today. — Antonieta Lopez