Thailand head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai praised several Alas Pilipinas players, including Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino, after their SEA Games 2025 clash.
Thailand head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai had high praise for Alas Pilipinas Women after their SEA Games 2025 opener on Thursday, at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok.
Fresh off a commanding sweep, Radchatagriengkai noted Alas Women’s major improvements in recent years.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate the Philippine team. In these few years, about four or five years, the Philippine team has improved a lot, developed a lot in the techniques,” Radchatagriengkai said in a Cignal interview after the match.
“Congratulations to the coach and staff worked very hard to develop all the players, especially the physical, they are very good in the physical. For the mental, they are also good, have the good confidence to play. And also, technique and tactics, they have improved a lot, so I appreciate,” he added.
Kiattipong went on saying that the world No. 18 squad had to stay sharp and locked in throughout the match.
“Today, we play with the Philippines. It's very hard for us, not so easy. And in every point, every ball, every skill, we are serious and focus on ourselves more. We are not too much focused on the Philippine team,” he said.
Who impressed the Thai coach?
When asked which Filipinas impressed him most, Radchatagriengkai did not hesitate.
“Oh, so many players. Setter, I love her. Setter is very good. Also, number 12, very nice. And also, middle blocker. All of them, they are very good.”
The players he referred to were team captain Jia De Guzman, wing spiker Angel Canino, and middle blockers Maddie Madayag, Dell Palomata, and Amie Provido, though Kiattipong did not specify which one caught his eye.
Alas Pilipinas Women in action against Thailand in the SEA Games 2025. | Photo: SAVA
With the win, Thailand is now off to the semifinals, where they look to continue their SEA Games dominance.
Meanwhile, Alas Women return to action later in a do-or-die match against Singapore, where a win keeps their semifinal hopes alive.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada/One Sports)
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