
File – Philippine men’s beach volleyball team. AVC photo
MANILA, Philippines – Both men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams from the Philippines are battling for bronze after suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Thailand at the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam’s Tuan Chou Beach on Thursday.
The men’s volleyball team lost to Thailand as Jarron Requinton and Jude Garcia lost 18-21, 18-21 to Junklang Surin and Nakprakhang Banlui in the Golden Match.
Thailand fights for the gold medal against defending champions Indonesia, who lost to Vietnam in another semifinal series.
Surin and Banlu defeated Garcia and Krung Arbasto 22-20, 21-14 in the first match.
Requinton and Ranran Abdilla Tawvato forced the referee to a 21-19, 21-13 win over Poravid and Tipjan Pithak.
This is the first defeat of the Philippines after sweeping the pool. The Filipino Spykers will take on Vietnam in the third fight on Friday at 10:45 a.m. for a chance to retain their previous finish in the 2019 SEA Games.

File-Philippines women’s beach volleyball team. Photo of the interrogation / Greg C. In Montegrande
Meanwhile, the women’s national team swept to Thailand as it ended 3-2 in the preliminary round.
CC Rondina and Bernadette Ponce lost to Taravadi Narafarnarapat and Confopasrutavadi Orapirachayakorn, 20-22, 15-21.
Jovlin Gonzaga and Diz Rodriguez failed to force a rubber match after losing 18-21, 15-21 to Varapatsorn Radarang and Tanarattha Udomchavi.
Thailand wants to complete the bid to retain the title against Indonesia in the winner-take-all final.
The women’s national team faces Vietnam, a squad that it defeated on Wednesday, for the bronze after the third fight in the men’s division.
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