Manama: Alas Pilipinas lost to Thailand, 24-26, 20-25, 24-26, in the Asian Youth Games girls’ volleyball battle for the bronze medal Wednesday night at the Isa Sports City-Hall C in Bahrain. Rhose Almendralejo had a match-high 15 points to lead the Philippines, while Harlyn Serneche and Samantha Cantada had eight points apiece. Natthawan Phatthaisong scored 13 points followed by Sasithorn Jatta with 12, while Nattharika Wasan and Wisaruta Sengna chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, as Thailand claimed victory after one hour and 29 minutes.
According to Philippines News Agency, despite the loss, Jai Adrao, who scored five points including two blocks, expressed pride in the team’s effort and gratitude for the opportunity to compete. She acknowledged the visible lapses and errors that contributed to the defeat, but remained thankful to various supporters and organizations, including the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Olympic Committee, for their backing.
The Philippines also struggled in other events, failing to secure medals in jiu-jitsu and cycling. In the boys’ -85kg jiu-jitsu class, Adam Fernani of Saudi Arabia defeated Zeus Babanto by submission with 1 minute and 19 seconds remaining. Meanwhile, Sachi Khonghun triumphed over Mongolia’s Munkhjin Batbold, 3-0, in the girls’ -52kg category, but Jin Gabriel Ong was bested by Kyrgyzstan’s Abdusomad Thnchtyk Tynchtykbekov in the boys’ -56kg division.
In the cycling event at the Nasser bin Hamad loop south of Zallaq, CJ Cabrejos finished 21 seconds behind the winner in the boys’ road race. Hong Kong’s Lee Wan Chun won the 99.6-km race in two hours, 23 minutes, and 54 seconds, narrowly beating Thailand’s Kittaphat Homkajorn. Saudi Arabia’s Taha Alkhalifah secured third place, finishing 10 seconds later. Cabrejos was part of a seven-man group that clocked 2:24:15, placing him 12th overall, while teammates Carl Laurence Espinosa and Joelian Abdul Hamid did not finish.
