Phanom Penh, Cambodia, August 31, 2024 – Hosts Cambodia powered past Laos in sensational straight sets 25-16, 25-18, 25-23 at the inaugural SEA V. League Challenge at National Olympic Stadium here on Saturday.
Fresh from a comeback 3-1 win against Malaysia in their curtain-raisers of the single round-robin competition on Friday, Cambodia, silver medallists at the last year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on home soil, made it two in succession.
Against the Laotians, Cambodia mixed the powerful attacks from outside hitter Chan Veasna and opposite Thy Menghuong with solid blocks by Kheng Thona and well-placed serves by Mouen Menglaiy to outperform the unfancied opponents in the first two sets 25-16, 25-18.
However, the visitors put their acts together, counter-attacking and intensifying their defence in the third set, making the most of fast attacks from middle blocker Lattannakong Bounlai. Still, backed by cheering home fans of around 4,000 at the venue, the host side clawed their way back to with the hard-fought set 25-23 and match.
Thy Menghuong was the most productive player of Cambodia as he chipped in 10 points from 9 kills and one block, while Chan Veasna and Mouen Menglaiy kept good company to add 9 and 7 points respectively. Chanthanvong Channima and Lattannakong Bounlai scored 8 points apiece for Laos.
Cambodia dominated in all elements, including kills (33 to 30), blocking (4 to 1), and aces (8 to 1), and it benefitted from more opponent errors (30 to 25).
Earlier, Malaysia handed Singapore the first loss in the three-day tournament following a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-18) victory against the determined rivals.
Opposite Jian Qian Sim delivered 13 points from 10 kills, one block and 2 aces for Malaysia, while outside hitters Ranfit Ramu and Chia You Jing added 8 and 7 points respectively. Outside hitter Wong Jordan Ryan led Singapore with 12 points from 9 kills, one block and 2 aces, with fellow outside hitter Lim Jayden Xuan Wei and middle blocker Wan Yue Jun adding 7 points apiece.
Malaysia’s higher offensive efficiency (33 to 31) and more opponent errors (32 to 19) proved instrumental for their victory as the points scored in blocks and aces were the same with 3 to 3 and 7 to 7 respectively.
After two days, hosts Cambodia surged ahead the pacesetters Singapore to the top of the four-team standing with 6 points from two straight wins. Malaysia had 3 points from one win against on loss, with Singapore in third place with 3 points from one win against one loss. Laos have yet to win a single set to succumb to two straight losses to come in fourth places with no point awarded.
On Sunday, the last day of the SEA V. League Challenge, Cambodia will take on Singapore and Malaysia will face off against Laos. After three days, the team with the best performance and highest-scoring points will be crowned champions and qualify for SEA V.League 2025.
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