Progella, Pagara set up bronze medal match vs China

NAGOYA—The Alas Pilipinas duo Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara bowed to Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphonapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee, 21-23, 18-21, in the semifinals to kiss their gold medal hopes goodbye in 20^th Asian Games women’s beach volleyball action on Thursday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Progella and Pagara were poised to take the first set, 19-15, before the Thais countered to take the set point, 20-19.

The Filipinos, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, saved a point twice, but the Thais denied their attempt. The first set loss is the first set dropped by the young Alas duo in the tournament.

“Nandun na kami sa moment na kaya namin makuha yung panalo kaso kulangan lang kami sa tiwala sa pinakadulo na kaya talaga namin” said Progella.

In the second set, Progella and Pagara was up, 14-12, but Naraphonapat and Kongphopsarutawadee went on with a 6-0 run six to snatch the lead, 18-14, en route to seal the victory.

Naraphonapat and Kongphopsarutawadee also eliminated Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons from contention in the quarterfinals, 17-21, 21-12, 13-15, on Wednesday.

Progella and Pagara still have a shot at the bronze on Friday when they face China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie.

“Mindset namin for the bronze is pinakalast push na namin since last game na for Asian Games so why not all out na at mas sosobrahan pa ang tiwala sa sarili na kaya namin,” said Pregolla.