Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 12, 2024 – Hosts Thailand and Indonesia outperformed Malaysia and Philippines respectively on Wednesday to finish top two of the single round-robin competition and set up much-anticipated final showdown of the 22nd “Princess Cup” Women’s U18 Southeast Asian Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium.
The straight-set sweeps highlighted the Wednesday’s encounters, with formidable Thailand, the only team which have yet lost a set to their respective opponents, demolishing Malaysia 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-15). Indonesia powered past Philippines 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-19) and Australia outplayed winless Singapore 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 27-25).
After five-day action of single round robin, Thailand finished on top of the six-team standing with 15 points from five consecutive wins, while Indonesia came in second place with 12 points from four wins against one loss. Philippines had to be content with the third place with 9 points from three wins against two losses.
Australia and Malaysia respectively finished fourth and fifth places with 6 and 3 points, while winless Singapore have yet won a set to finish on bottom sixth place with no points earned.
With only top two teams after conclusion of the single round robin through to the Thursday’s showdown, the undefeated Thais and Indonesia will now battle it out for the eventual crown. Third-placed Philippines will take on fourth-placed Australia in the bronze-medal match, while fifth-placed Malaysia and bottom sixth-placed Singapore will contest the 5th-6th playoff clash.
On Wednesday, the decisive encounter between Philippines and Indonesia to determine the second-placed team saw the former succumb to straight-set loss to the stronger latter to finish the pool stage with a 3-2 win/loss record. The letdown, however, allowed Philippines another chance to challenge Australia, the team they had beaten earlier 3-1 on Tuesday, for a podium finish in the bronze-medal match on Thursday.
In the opening set, Indonesia relied on powerful attacks from opposite Azzahra Dwi Febyane and Junaida Santi to take a commanding 23-18 lead. Philippines tried hard to stage a late fightback, with Denesse Daylisan, Avril Denise Bron and Harlyn Serneche on fire with their combination attacks to narrow the margin 22-24.
However, the Indonesians blew the rivals’ comeback attempt away as Azzahra hammered an off-the-block kill for the Indonesia’s 25-22 win.
The onslaughts continued in…
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