MANILA – Thailand displayed their might with a 25-21, 25-20, 25-18 victory over Alas Pilipinas national men’s volleyball team in the 2025 AVC Volleyball Men’s Nations Cup over the weekend at the Isa Bin Rashid Hall in Isa Town, Bahrain.
The victory served as Thailand’s revenge for their 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12 loss to Alas Pilipinas Men in the 2025 Alas Pilipinas Invitationals last week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Khonhan Amornthep spearheaded the offense for Thailand with 14 points, with Phanram Anurak and Thungkham Chaiwat each contributed 12 markers in the lopsided win.
Despite showing their blocking prowess in the opening set, Alas Pilipinas Men still faltered to Thais following the combined 12 points production of Anurak and Amornthep in the set.
Thailand continued to dominate in the second set with Chaiwat converting six markers to negate the offense of Negrense Leo Ordiales and Louie Ramirez, who combined for eight markers in the set for Alas Pilipinas Men.
In the third set, Thailand took advantage of Alas Pilipinas Men’s early miscues to establish a quick lead before holding off their opponent with another run, capped by a service ace by Amornthep.
Michaelo Buddin top-scored for Alas Pilipinas Men with eight points, Rwenzmel Taguibolos and Louie Ramirez added six apiece, while Marck Espejo was limited to just a single point.
Alas Pilipinas Men, who remain winless in the tournament, will next face New Zealand for the final match of the classification phase on Tuesday, June 24, at five in the afternoon.
The Philippines, who used the competition as part of their buildup to the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, finished 10th in the last two editions of the tournament, then known as the AVC Men’s Challenge Cup./PN
