Spikers miss gold-medal game

MANILA, Philippines — For a fleeting moment in the opening set, the Philippines appeared headed to stealing a set from reigning Southeast Asian Games women’s volleyball champion Thailand.

Until the mammoth, powerful machines of the region’s volley gods started going.

Stamping their class on the biennial meet they’ve dominated for more than three decades with 15 gold medals in the last 16 editions, the Thais bucked an errant start before recovering their groove in time to smash the Filipinas to submission, 25-22, 25-9, 25-12, yesterday to claim the first finals seat.

Thailand, which swept Group A in three games, goes for the gold against either Vietnam or Indonesia.

It was a loss everyone, including the Alyssa Valdez-skippered crew, knew was coming as the Thais steamrolled past every team it has faced.

So dominant was Thailand that the highest its rivals got to score was 16 that came in a 25-16, 25-16, 25-16 massacre of Indonesia in the group stage.

But on this night at the packed Olympic Complex Indoor Main Hall, the Filipinas stunned the Thais as they raced to a mighty 17-14 start fueled by Tots Carlos’ missile-like jump serve to the delight of the loud, energetic Pinoy crowd hoping for a miracle.

Their prayers weren’t answered though as the Thais decided it was enough and took charge from that moment on with their unrelenting attack and superb net and floor defense that baffled the Filipinas the rest of the way.

The last two sets were so ghastly that the Pinays seemed begging for an end to come.

The power-hitting Moksri Chatchu-on delivered the kill – a crisp shot that landed on an empty space at the back.