THERE will be no podium finish again for the Philippine men's volleyball team in the Southeast Asian Games.
The nationals was booted out of medal contention by host Cambodia, 18-25, 18-25, 17-25, on Thursday at Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The men's team dropped to 0-2 in Group A after failing to contain the in-form 2021 bronze medalists, who have yet to drop a set in the group stage.
READ: Philippines' best shot at SEA Games gold medals
Jade Disquitado was the lone bright spot for the error-prone Philippines which struggled from offense to defense against the Cambodians. He finished with 8 points.
The nationals look to end the group stages on a positive note against similarly winless Singapore on Saturday at 6 p.m. local time.
The squad kept it close at the start of all three sets, but the Cambodians always finished better thanks to a hot-firing offense that tallied 38 attacks against the Philippines' 24.
JayVee Sumagaysay and Jay Rack Dela Noche tried to breathe life into the Philippine campaign in the third set but proved no match to the host nation.
Spikers' Turf MVP Joshua Umandal tallied only four points in two sets.
Pin Sarun delivered the match-winning points on back-to-back kills to finish with 13 points for the hosts, while Mouen Meng Laiy chipped in 12 points on 11 attacks and a block.
The host nation secured its spot in the playoffs along with defending champion and fellow undefeated team Indonesia ahead of their face-off on Saturday to wrap Group A hostilities.
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