Choco Mucho opened the Philippine campaign with a loss to Nakhon Ratchasima QminC in the 2021 Asian Volleyball Club Championships on Friday, October 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The 2020-2021 Thailand league runner-up swept the Philippine club in straight sets, 25-11, 28-26, 25-17, in the preliminary round of the women’s club tournament.

With the win, Nakhon Ratchasima takes the early lead in Pool A as Choco Mucho stays at the bottom with one loss.

Team captain Moksri Chatchu-on tallied 18 attacks, one block and one ace to lead the Thais, while Kannika Thipachot chipped in 14 attacks.

Fil-Hawaiian Kalei Mau led the Philippine side with 12 points off 11 attacks and 1 block.

After absorbing a beating in the opening set, Choco Mucho bounced back in the second frame, taking the lead for the first time, 6-5.

The match went into back and forth action until Mau brought it to set point, 24-22. Though being one point away from equalizing the match, Mau’s attack sailed wide, allowing the home team to rally back and take the 2-0 lead.

Though Choco Mucho managed to cut the deficit to one, 7-8, off a 3-0 rally in the third set, Nakhon Ratchasima bounced back with an 8-2 run that stretched the lead.

As the Thai squad reached set point, 24-15, Choco Mucho called a timeout and made a final stand by scoring back-to-back points before the home team sealed the victory.

Choco Mucho aims to rebound quickly over Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu on Saturday, October 2 at 1:30 pm. – Rappler.com