Games Friday
(Chiang Mai Sports Complex, Thailand)
2 p.m. – Indonesia vs Vietnam
5: 30 p.m. – Philippines vs Thailand
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Alas Pilipinas eyes a breakthrough win when it takes on newly-minted Leg 1 champion and host Thailand at the start of the second leg of the 2026 Women’s SEA V. Cup’s at the Chiang Mai Sports Complex Friday, Aug. 7.
Heading into the second leg still searching for their first victory, the Nationals, led by Bella Belen and first-leg Best Opposite Spiker Alyssa Solomon, are determined to turn things around against regional powerhouse Thailand before the latter’s home crowd.
Game time is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. (Philippine time), while Vietnam and Indonesia open the double-header action at 2 p.m.
Despite a promising showing against Southeast Asia’s finest in the Thais and the Vietnamese, the Filipina tossers failed to produce a single win in three starts.
Belen and Solomon should bring their A-games and so are skipper Jia De Guzman, Eya Laure, Dell Palomata, Fifi Sharma, and young gun Niña Ytang, if they are to beat the Thais who beat them in five sets last week.
Last year, the Nationals made heads turn with a historic silver finish in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup.
Thailand, on the other hand, is expected to bank heavily on Sasipapron Janthawisut (MVP and Best Outside Spiker), Natthanicha Jaisaen (Best Setter), and Kaewkalaya Kamulthala (Best Middle Blocker).
