Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 11, 2024 – As Thailand look set to secure top spot at the 22nd “Princess Cup” Women’s U18 Southeast Asian Volleyball Championship, the focus now turns to the Philippines-Indonesia confrontation on Wednesday to determine the second place and a berth in the final showdown against the host side.
Thailand stayed atop the 6-team pool with 12 points from four wins without dropping a set to their respective rivals. With their unbeaten streak, Thailand are likely to stamp their authority over the tournament although they still have one match remaining against Malaysia on Wednesday.
At conclusion of the single round robin on Wednesday, teams finishing top two teams will battle it out for the eventual crown the following day, with teams finishing third- and fourth places fighting for the bronze medal and the fifth- and sixth-placed sides contesting the 5th-6th playoff match.
On Tuesday, the penultimate day of the single round-robin competition, Thailand mercilessly crushed Singapore in a completely one-sided battle 3-0 (25-7, 25-9, 25-9), while Philippines powered past Australia 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19) and Indonesia demolished Malaysia 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-12).
Despite going down in straight sets in the previous match against hosts Thailand, the Philippines still kept their final bid alive following their dramatic win on Tuesday, resulting in the similar 3-1 win/loss record as Indonesia. The Philippines will now battle it out with Indonesia in their last encounter of the single round robin on Wednesday, which will decide the second-placed team to face off against the pacesetters Thailand in the Thursday’s final showdown.
Philippines got off to a brilliant start in the first set against Australia on Tuesday, with skipper and opposite Harlyn Serneche and outside hitter Kimberly Chelmei Rubin orchestrating their offensive system with their powerful attacks to help the team win 25-16 in the comfortable contest.
Australians regrouped and fought back hard for a comeback in the second set. With skipper and outside hitter Matisse Conlon on fire with her attacks and middle blockers Anni Tang, 196cm, and the 186cm-tall Chelsea Cocks effectively producing solid blocks, Aussies raced to a commanding lead with a four-point clear at 23-19. However, Philippines showed their resilience to win four points in a row including a service ace by Avirl Denise Bron to level it at 23-23. Tang committed an attacking error to bring…
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