An emerging volleyball power in the region, the Thais stamped their class on their Southeast Asian neighbor Indons, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21, to break into the win-column in the eight-day tourney among seven nations.
The Thais, who put up a tough fight but came up short on their upset bid against the Chinese Wednesday, seek a second straight win against the Taiwanese at 4 p.m. today.
"We lost our first game against the Chinese, so we needed to win badly today to stay in contention for the title," said coach Suttichai Chanbunchee whose Sang Som squad is composed mostly of players of the Thailand champion team in last year’s 2005 SEA Games also in Manila.
Disappointed with their sorry 25-23, 19-25, 22-25, 24-26 defeat to the Chinese, the Thais poured their frustration on the Indons whom they disposed of in less than an hour.
The Indons suffered their third loss in as many games here.
Attackers Wilavan Apinyapong, Amporn Hyapha and Malika Kanthong dominated the net, inflicting Indons the biggest damage.
Apinyapong scored 10 kills and had two blocks, Hypha accounted for 11 kills while Kanthong delivered eight kills and two services points.
The tournament is organized by Philippine Volleyball Federation secretary general Pedro Mendoza and sponsored by Hitachi, Hope, D-Load, Shakey’s Pizza and Accel.