SOFIAH Pagara and Khy Progella fell short of the Asian Games women’s beach volleyball final after losing to Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphornrapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee, 21-23, 18-21, in the semifinals on Thursday.
The Alas Pilipinas Beach pair battled the Thai duo point-for-point in a tight opening set, only to see their push for the lead fall short in the closing exchanges.
Thailand then carried that momentum into the second set, where the Nationals again stayed within striking distance, but could not force a deciding frame.
Philippines' tormentor
The semifinal defeat came against familiar opposition for the Philippines.
It was the same Thai pair that ended the campaign of veteran Alas Beach tandem Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons in the quarterfinals.
Despite the setback, Pagara and Progella still have a chance to finish their campaign on the podium.
The Filipinas will face China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie in the bronze medal match on Friday, giving them another opportunity to secure the Philippines’ first Asiad beach volleyball medal.
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