Manila, Philippines, August 18, 2024 – Thailand powered past hosts Philippines in straight sets in their last encounter of the 2024 SEA V. League at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, completing the first-leg campaign with remarkable unbeaten record to be crowned champions for the first time.
On Sunday, the last day of the single round-robin competition, Indonesia struggled hard to beat Vietnam in epic tie-breaker 21-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 15-12 in exhausting 139 minutes, while Thailand overcame the strong challenge from Philippines in the first set to beat the host side in straight sets 28-26, 25-14, 25-16 in 83 minutes.
At conclusion of the three-day championship, Thailand finished on top of the four-team standing with 9 points from three straight wins without dropping a set to be crowned the 2024 SEA V. League first-leg champions. Indonesia came in second place with 5 points from two wins against one loss. Hosts Philippines finished third place with 3 points from one win against two losses, with winless Vietnam on the bottom fourth position with only one point earned.
The debut edition of the SEA Men’s V. League was held last year, with the first leg being held in Indonesia and the second leg contested in Philippines. World No.53 Indonesia, defending and 12-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions, reigned supreme at both legs.
Current world No.62 Thailand, which captured the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup title to their name, had disappointing outings last year. They finished second in the 2023 SEA V. League first leg in Bogor, Indonesia, but dropped to third position in the second leg in Santa Rosa, Philippines. Thailand, former eight-time SEA Games winners, also failed to make their mark at last year’s SEA Games in Cambodia to return with a below-par fourth place aside from finishing ninth place at the Iran-hosted Asian Senior Men’s Championship and a distant 10th position at the Hangzhou Asian Games in China.
However, Thailand came much stronger this time as they brought their best players to the first leg in Philippines including veteran middle blockers Kissada Nilsawai and Anuchit Pakdeekaew, opposite Napadet Bhinijdee, who made his presence felt at the Indonesian Men’s Proliga in 2023-2024 season with Jakarta Garuda Jaya Club, hard-attacking Anurak Phanram, Chaiwat Thungkham and left-hander opposite and skipper Amornthep Khonhan.
Thailand had already beaten Indonesia 3-0 and repeated the similar feat with another 3-0 win against…
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