The Philippine national women's volleyball team failed to get its 2022 ASEAN Grand Prix first leg campaign on the right foot, suffering a sweep loss to home team Thailand, 25-17, 25-22, 25-12, on Friday in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
After a lackluster opening frame, the visiting squad momentarily got its act together in the second with a furious 6-0 run that saw the Philippines' lead balloon to 20-16.
The Thais then answered with a 3-0 rampage before Jema Galanza hit back-to-back hammers for a 22-19 spread. With the momentum slowly going to the Philippines' side, though, veteran Ajcharaporn Kongyot was quick to pump the Thais as they take a 23-22 cushion.
Tots Carlos had the chance to tie things up but she went wide on her attack, giving Thailand the set point before Ajcharaporn finished it off with a one-man block on Jeanette Panaga, 25-22.
Showing no fatigue, the Thais were simply dominant in the third, racing to a huge 16-8 lead following a pipe attack from Kannika Thipachot.
Thipachot then sealed the sweep win for Thailand, soaring for an attack that went off the block of middle blocker Risa Sato and open hitter Rizza Mandapat.
The Filipinas, who just days ago finished sixth at the AVC Cup for Women, will next face Vietnam on Saturday before wrapping up the three-day tournament on Sunday against Indonesia.
The team with most wins will rule the first leg.
