Thailand got its revenge for the five-set loss in the 2025 Alas Pilipinas Invitationals, taking down the Philippines in straight sets during the classification phase of the 2025 AVC Nations Cup.
Alas Pilipinas Men remain winless in the 9th-11th classification round of the 2025 AVC Nations Cup after bowing to Thailand in straight sets, 21-25, 20-25, 18-25, at the Isa Bin Rashid Hall, Isa Town, Bahrain on Saturday, June 21.
While the Philippines improved its blocking, errors proved costly for Alas Pilipinas especially in the first set. Meanwhile, Thailand was hungry for retribution after a five-set loss in the 2025 Alas Pilipinas Invitationals just last week.
Both the Philippines and Thailand fell to the classification phase after absorbing two defeats each in pool play.
At first, it was deja vu for Alas Pilipinas as Thailand took the initial frame, 25-21.
Phanram Anurak and Khonhan Amornthep took the lead for the Thais with seven and five points each.
The Philippines showed better blocking compared to the game against Chinese Taipei, with Rwenzmel Taguibolos spearheading Alas' rejections at 4-1.
However, the Filipinos' errors proved to be too costly. They committed 11 compared to the Thais' eight. Seven of Alas' mistakes came at the service line.
The Thais continued to take control in the second set, overpowering the Filipinos with a comfortable scoreline of 25-20.
This time, it was Thungkham Chaiwat who led the charge for Thailand with six points.
Leo Ordiales came alive for the Philippines with five points, along with Louie Ramirez who had three.
Errors remained a boogeyman for Alas with six.
Thailand never let up in the third frame with six match points. Amornthep sealed the match with an ace, 25-18.
He had 14 points overall, with Anurak and Chaiwat each pitching 12.
Buds Buddin was the leading scorer for the Philippines with eight. Taguibolos and Ramirez added six each.
Marck Espejo, who exploded against Chinese Taipei, was contained with just a single point.
The Philippines finished 10th in the last two editions of the tournament, then known as the AVC Men's Challenge Cup.
Alas Pilipinas will next face New Zealand for the final match of the 9th-11th classification phase on Tuesday, June 24, at 5 00 p.m. (PH time).
The competition is part of the Philippines' buildup to the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, which would be held in the country later this year.