PHILIPPINES opened the second leg of the Southeast Asia V.League on a losing note after a straight-sets loss to host Thailand, 15-25, 17-25, 18-23, in Chiang Mai on Friday.
READ: Pinay spikers bow to Thais for second loss in a row in regional V. League first leg
The nationals are yet to register a win in four tournament outings after a winless three-game stint in Vietnam.
Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon showed no signs of rust for the collegiate-laden national team as the ever-reliable leaders on offense.
The Lady Bulldogs pair also led the newly assembled squad in scoring, alongside incoming National University sophomore ace Vange Alinsug.
Belen & Co. kept it closer than their previous meeting but just lacked the finishing touch in the endgame where the Thais were much too good all-match long.
And unlike their maiden stint, however, national coach Jorge Souza de Brito took over the reins in Leg 2 from veteran NU mentors Norman Miguel and Karl Dimaculangan.
Next up for the Philippines is a rematch with Asian powerhouse Vietnam, who beat it in four sets in last week’s first leg.
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