Philippines suffers Grand Prix setback to Vietnam

The Philippines dropped its second assignment in the ASEAN Grand Prix Women's Volleyball Invitational on Saturday afternoon, bowing to Vietnam, 25-12 25-16 25-16 at Chartchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Unlike their previous meeting at the AVC Cup for Women, the current SEA Games silver medalists showed their dominance as they secure their second win in the four-nation tournament.

Tots Carlos led the Philippines with eleven spikes, eight of which came in the third set. Celine Domingo added seven points, including a couple of service aces. Also netting seven spikes is Jema Galanza, with Rose Vargas contributed five points.

Tran Thi Thanh Thuy led all scorers with thirteen points, with Vietnam having the opportunity to secure the top spot in the four-nation tournament against Thailand on Sunday night.

The Philippines seeks to end their campaign on a positive note against Indonesia on Sunday afternoon. A win there could potentially net another bronze for the Sherwin Meneses-coached side.

Thailand tops Philippines in ASEAN Grand Prix opener

The Philippines stumbled on its opener for the ASEAN Grand Prix Women's Volleyball Invitational on Friday night, bowing to Thailand, 25-17 25-22 25-12 at the Chartchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The second set saw the Filipinas battle toe-to-toe with the hosts, even taking a 17-16 lead at that point before the Thais re-established themselves, especially in the final set that secured their first win of the four-nation competition.

Tots Carlos led the Philippines with ten spikes and a block, with Jema Galanza netting eight markers, five of which came in the second set. Celine Domingo and Michele Gumabao each had four points, while Jeanette Panaga served a couple of aces to finish with three points.

Pimpichaya Kokram led all scorers with seventeen points, with Srithong Wipawee adding ten markers in just two sets of action.

In the earlier matchup, Vietnam dispatched Indonesia, 25-23 25-19 25-9 to secure their first-ever victory in the Grand Prix, as the current SEA Games silver medalists lost all six matches in the inaugural edition back in 2019.

The Philippines will face Vietnam on Saturday afternoon at 4pm, with both teams having recently faced off at the AVC Cup for Women. That matchup saw the hosts without the services of team captain Jia de Guzman. Even though it was straight sets defeat, the Philippines managed to force an extended third set.

Philippines set to compete in Thailand for overseas volleyball

Creamline representing the Philippines in the ASEAN Grand Prix

Fresh from their sixth place finish for the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women, Creamline is set to represent the Philippines again in international competition, as they head to Thailand to take part in the 2nd ASEAN Grand Prix this weekend at Nakhon Ratchasima.

The first edition of the Grand Prix saw the Philippines finish with a bronze medal after two legs in Nakhon Ratchasima and Santa Rosa.

Familiar opposition from the aforementioned AVC Cup for Women looms, as they face hosts Thailand on Friday night at 7pm, followed by Vietnam on Saturday afternoon at 4pm. Their campaign ends against Indonesia at 4pm on Sunday.

With Alyssa Valdez sidelined for this tournament, Jia de Guzman leads the way with a virtually intact roster from a sixth place finish at the AVC Cup, with Risa Sato being the major new addition.

Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Michele Gumabao are tasked to continue their scoring exploits, with Celine Domingo and Jeanette Panaga serving as the main frontline defense while Kyla Atienza and Ella de Jesus serve as floor defense essentials.

Sherwin Meneses remains as the head coach, with Karlo Santos and Bok Morado as his assistants and Mark Caron handling strength and conditioning.

Also headed to Thailand are Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dij Rodriguez, and Gen Eslapor, who are headed to Roi-et for two beach volleyball competitions: the AVC Asian Beach Tour Roi-et Open on September 10-12, followed by the AVC Senior Women's Beach Volleyball Championship.

Eslapor last competed overseas in March, where she and Nene Bautista claimed the bronze medal in the Women's Challenger Division in the Australian Beach Volleyball Tour at Coolangatta Beach. The others are competing abroad for the first time since representing the country in the SEA Games at Vietnam back in May.

The Roi-et Open features 22 tandems, with AVC Championship involves 32 of them.

Coaching our beach volleybelles are Paul Jan Doloiras as head coach and Romnick Rico as the assistant coach.