MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines put up a tough fight but still fell to Thailand in five sets while Leg 1 champion Indonesia made short work of Vietnam in the opener of the Southeast Asia Volleyball League on Friday night at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
Buoyed by massive support at home and the lift from aces Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, the Nationals controlled the majority of the match with a 2-1 lead only to run out of steam in a tough 24-26, 27-25, 25-21, 23-25, 14-16 defeat at the hands of the Thais.
Indonesia, in the first match, had no problem dispatching Vietnam, 25-23, 21-25, 25-14, 25-23, to bolster its bid for a second straight title after sweeping the opening leg in Jakarta last week.
In that leg, the Filipino spikers succumbed to a 22-25, 20-25, 20-25 loss to Thailand.
But an almost entirely different Philippine team showed up in Santa Rosa with Bagunas, Espejo and Leg 1 Best Opposite Hitter Steven Rotter taking turns in steering the ship.
Bagunas fired 25 points on 23 hits and two blocks while Espejo and Rotter added 24 and 17 points, respectively, for the Philippines that came so close to finally breaking through in the inaugural regional tilt.
But Supakorn Jenthaisong and Jakkrit Thanomnoi posted 28 and 22 points, respectively, to lead Thailand in a stellar comeback win.