THE Philippines is on track for its best finish in women’s beach volleyball at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games since the sport’s debut in 2003.
Alas Women Beach punched their ticket to the finals with twin victories over Vietnam in the ninth edition of SEA Games beach volleyball on Monday at Jomtien Beach in Chonburi.
READ: Alas Women Beach open SEA Games run by outlasting Indonesia
Two-time SEA Games bronze medalists Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons first overcame the Vietnamese pair of Dinh Thi My Nga and Mai Hong Hanh, 21-18, 15-21, 15-10.
Sealing the country’s entry to the gold medal round was another double bronze medalist in Dij Rodriguez and debutant Sunny Villapando, who edged Chau Ngoc Lan and Nguyen Le Thi Tuong Vy, 22-20, 19-21, 15-10.
With their fourth win in as many preliminary matches, the Philippines is now assured of at least a silver medal.
Next up for the Nationals is host nation Thailand, who remain unbeaten at 4-0 in preliminaries.
The two sides will first clash to close out the preliminary round on Wednesday before meeting again in the gold medal match on Friday.
Regardless of the outcome later this week, this year’s SEA Games serves as a sweet redemption for the heartbreak of 2023 in Cambodia, where the Philippines failed to reach the medal rounds after a shock early exit, having previously secured bronze in 2019 and 2021.
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