Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Alas Pilipinas Youngsters Pull Off Massive Quarterfinal Upset
Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella secured a semifinal berth at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 after defeating Japan’s Ren Matsumoto and Non Matsumoto in straight sets, 24-22, 22-20, on Wednesday at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court in Yokkaichi.
Ranked No. 90 in the FIVB world rankings, the University of Santo Tomas pair held off late rallies in both sets against their 40th-ranked opponents, converting deuce points to seal the win. The result improves upon their ninth-place finish at the Hangzhou Games in 2023 and places the Philippine tandem directly into medal contention.
Pagara and Progella advanced to the quarterfinals following a 26-24, 21-18 sweep of Hong Kong’s Ngok Ling Tsang and Wong Man Ching in the Round of 16.
Heartbreak for Rondina and Pons Against Thailand
In the other quarterfinal fixture, Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons fell to Thailand’s Kongphopsarutawadee Worapeerachayakorn and Taravadee Naraphornrapat in three sets, 17-21, 21-12, 13-15.
After dropping the opening set, the reigning Southeast Asian Games gold medalists leveled the match with a 21-12 second frame and built a 13-11 lead late in the decider. Worapeerachayakorn and Naraphornrapat then capitalized on consecutive attacks to produce a 4-0 run, closing out the set 15-13 to avenge their SEA Games final defeat.
Rondina and Pons had reached the final eight with a 21-17, 21-15 victory over Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayo Sawame in the Round of 16.
What’s Next: Semifinal Showdown with Thailand
Pagara and Progella will face Worapeerachayakorn and Naraphornrapat in the semifinals on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court, with a place in the Asian Games gold medal match at stake.
