After absorbing a deflating loss against Diamond Food in the knockout semifinals, Paat and Manabat made sure to end their VTL campaign with a podium finish as the duo led Nakhon in the bronze medal match after outlasting Khonkaen Star.

Trailing 17-20 in the second set, Paat and Manabat fired at all cylinders to rally Nakhon to an 8-3 run, where Sittisad backstopped the two, scoring three points to close the set and an inch closer from the win and a place in the podium, 25-23.

Khonkaen Star responded as they bounced back in the third period as Anongporn Promrat scored back-to-back points to extend the match, 25-21. 

However, Nakhon Ratchasima ensured to close the deal in the fourth salvo as it had an 8-4 lead and nailed Khonkaen Star with only 14 points to seal the win and finish in third place, 25-14.  

Paat and Manabat became the latest Filipina volleyball imports to earn medals overseas — Jaja Santiago placed third in the 2019-20 Japan V.League, while Alyssa Valdez was part of 3BB Nakornnont’s bronze finish in the 2017 Thai-Denmark Super League.

The two power hitters finished their Thailand League campaign just in time to defend Chery Tiggo’s championship title coming into the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference scheduled on March 16.