JAKARTA – The Philippines dropped a straight-set defeat to Southeast Asian power Thailand, 25-22, 25-12, 25-15, on Sunday at the start of the 18th Asian Games women’s volleyball tournament.
The Filipina spikers started strongly by opening a 9-2 lead but slowly faded as soon as Thailand, the reigning Asiad bronze medalist, started to stamp its class at the GBK Tennis Indoor stadium here.
The Thais still trailed, 19-16, but were able to tie the match at 21-21 before pulling away to win the set. Thailand took control of the match from there as Philippines never got its act together after the first-set meltdown.
The Philippines' first appearance in the Asian Games in 36 years isn't getting any easier as the volleybelles face another world beater, Japan, on Tuesday.
Chatchu On Moksri led Thailand with 15 points while Pimpichaya Kokram and skipper Pleumjit Thinkaow added 13 and 10 points, respectively, in the three-set romp.
Alyssa Valdez scored seven points while Jaja Santiago and Kim Dy added six points each as head coach Shaq Delos Santos used all his players in the Asiad debut.
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