MANILA – Nakhon Ratchasima QminC ended the 2021-22 Volleyball Thailand League seeding round with a 25-23, 25-17, 25-18 sweep over Khonkaen Star on Sunday at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Mylene Paat caught fire on offense to lead Nakhon Ratchasima to their first win over Khonkaen, which defeated the former twice in the eliminations.
Local players Patcharaporn Sittisad and Chitaporn Kamlangmak also made their presence felt as they help Santiago-Manabat and Paat in the scoring spree.
Both teams were into tight exchange in the opening set with Nakhon Ratchasima clinging to a 24-23 edge before Sittisad’s off-the-block kill capped the set.
Holding a four point advantage early in the second frame, Nakhon Ratchasima waxed hot with 9-2 scoring blast capped by back-to-back conversions of Paat to build a 2-0 set edge.
Nakhon Ratchasima continued its rampage in the third set as they turned a slim four point lead to a nine-point lead to finish the Khonkaen Star in straight sets.
Nakhon Ratchasima QminC finished the Final Four seeding round with 1-2 win-loss slate, good for third seed heading into the semifinals round this weekend.
Prior to their win over Khonkaen, Nakhon Ratchasima suffered straight sets in their first two games in the seeding round against Supreme Chonburi and Diamond Food.
Meanwhile, after their Thailand stint, Santiago-Manabat and Paat are expected to return to Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the Premier Volleyball League on March 16.
Santiago-Manabat and Paat both played a huge role in Crossovers’ championship run during the 2021 PVL Open Conference./PN
