Beach spikers top pool play

HANOI, Vietnam —The Philippine men’s team edged host Vietnam, 2-1, to become the Pool A topnotchers in the 31st Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball competition at the Tuan Chau Beach in Quang Ninh.

Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton downed Nhat Ton Long and Nguyen Van Nha, 21-18, 21-15 in the golden match to give the Filipinos the victory.

Ranran Abdilla and Requinton outlasted Nguyen Lam Toi and Trang Quang Vu, 19-21, 21-16, 15-13, but the Vietnamese equalized after Nha and Nhat nipped Garcia and Krung Arbasto in a three-set thriller, 21-15, 17-21, 15-12.

The Philippines swept its three Pool A matches and will face Pool B second placer and 2019 silver medalists Thailand for a spot in the gold medal match at 10 a.m. (Manila time) Thursday.

Defending champion Indonesia topped Pool B and will take on Vietnam in the other semifinal pairing.