Vietnam dominates Alas Pilipinas in straight sets

ALAS PILIPINAS will not be snapping out of a 32-year Southeast Asian Games women’s volleyball gold medal drought after absorbing a stinging 25-17, 25-14, 25-17 mauling at the hands of Vietnam in their semifinal duel on Sunday at Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, Thailand.

But the Filipinas though will have a chance to end another dry spell as it shoots for its first podium finish since copping a bronze two decades ago back home versus the loser of the Thailand-Indonesia duel.

There were notions before the confrontation that the Nationals could put up a fight since the Vietnamese were without of their top players in Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, who withdrew months before the games due to personal and family reason and alleged over new FIVB player eligibility rules regarding gender testing.

It didn’t happen as Vietnam was in total control from start to finish after riding on the back of its long-time captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who presided over the carnage with 15 points.

At the very least, Alas, whose last gold came in 1993 in Singapore, could console itself with a shot at a bronze on Monday. — Joey Villar