Diamond Food claim double in Thai League

Diamond Food Fine Chef had a weekend of multiple victories in the Thai Volleyball League as both the women’s and the men’s teams celebrated their triumphs in the country’s national tournaments on Sunday.

The women’s final at the Nimibutr Gymnasium opposed two legendary members of the Thai national team with star setter Nootsara Tomkom captaining Diamond Food and standout middle blocker Pleymjit Thinkabow leading their opponents Supreme Chonburi E-Tech.

Helped by fellow long-time Thai national team outside hitter Onuma Sittirak, Brazilian Fernanda Tome and Cuban opposite Leanny Castaneda, the 36-year-old Tomkom guided Diamond Food to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 26-24) win that secured the team their second consecutive national title.

The victory in the final match of the season was also seen as revenge by Diamond Food as they hast lost to Supreme three times during the regular season, with the most recent upset dating back to last week.

On the men’s side, Diamond Food put an end to the team’s recent series of second-place finishes in the Thai League by winning their first title after losing in the final of the last four national seasons.

With outside hitters Miroslav Gradinarov of Bulgaria and Armin Mustedanovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the roster, Diamond took Phitsanulok VC down in three sets (25-19, 25-18, 25-21) to lift the trophy.

Diamond Food will see both of their teams compete in next season's Asian Club Championship. For this year’s editions, which will take place in Kazakhstan in April for the women and in Iran in May for the men, the country will be represented by the champions of the 2020-2021 season, Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC and Diamond Food respectively.