CAME, SAW, CONQUERED. Team Philippines win over Vietnam with a comeback game in PPL Visayas Open on September 09, 2026. Photo: Google
by Aang
After dropping a tight first game to Vietnam’s strong baseline drives, the Philippine duo rallied back to take the next two games, relying on tight kitchen dinking and aggressive net-poaching to seal the championship victory, 2-1 (8–11, 11–9, 11–8).
Johnny Arcilla & Patricia Raymundo for Team Philippines vs. Ly Hoang Nam & Jolie Lam for Team Vietnam.
Vietnam’s Ly Hoang Nam relied heavily on quick, penetrating drives aimed directly at the hip to force weak pop-ups, managing to string together key counter-runs when down in points.
The opening game saw long baseline transitions into quick kitchen exchanges. Arcilla used his tennis background to control the pace from the reset line, forcing Vietnam into high-risk speed-ups early.
Philippines was lagging during the first set as Vietnam’s aggressive plays kept them at bay; however, the Pinoy reached a breaking point after blowing past Vietnam’s defenses.
Pat Raymundo’s Poach Spree: Leading 6–5, Raymundo stepped across the kitchen line twice, catching Vietnam off-guard with paddle-side poaches off Ly’s forehand drives.
Championship Point (10–8): Arcilla delivered a dipping third-shot drop into the non-volley zone. Ly was forced to lift a high, defensive dink, setting up Arcilla for a body-sailing forehand drive to close out the match.
