Choco Mucho and Rebisco put up valiant stands against much-seasoned opponents to open their respective 2021 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship campaign, Friday at the Terminal 21 Hall in Thailand.
In the first game, Choco Mucho yielded to home team Nakhon Ratchasima QminC, 11-25, 26-28, 17-25.
After a lopsided opening frame, Choco Mucho retaliated with a strong showing the next set with Flying Titan Deanna Wong facilitating.
The Filipinas reached set point after three consecutive Kalei Mau points off a crosscourt hit, a down-the-line attack, and a block, 24-22.
However, two errors from Choco Mucho and a crosscourt spike by Kannika Thipachot gave Nakhon the lead but Sta. Lucia's Dell Palomata converted on a quick kill before Chery Tiggo's Mylene Paat nailed a crosscourt hit to recover the lead, 26-25.
Then Thipachot, Chatchu-on Moksri, and Kuttika Kaewpin joined hands to deliver three straight blows and tow Nakhon on the verge of a sweep, 28-26.
Then in the third set and facing a nine-point deficit, 15-24, a Sirima Manakit service error gave Choco Mucho a chance followed by a Ria Meneses ace.
However, it was too little, too late as Wanitchaya Luangtonglang fired an off-the-block kill to complete the sweep for Nakhon.
On the other hand, the youthful Rebisco team were given a lesson by Kazakhstan's Altay in a straight-set, 23-25, 13-25, 17-25 loss.
Choco Mucho aims for their first win tomorrow when they battle Zhetyssu of Kazakhstan at 1:30 pm while Rebisco will square off against Supreme Chonburi of Thailand tomorrow, 4:30 pm.
