By Abby Toralba
INDIA remained spotless in the AVC Challenge Cup for Women after thwarting Chinese Taipei yesterday 25-19, 25-13, 25-16 in Pool A action at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Middle blocker Soorya Soorya shone for the Indians with 15 points, eight from blocks and seven attacks, while Kambrath Poyilil Anusree added 13 markers in the 80-minute duel.
“I’m very happy that we won and we are hoping that we can get more wins. Our teammates are very supportive and our coaches, the Indian audience, they are very supportive. This time, we’re gonna win this tournament,” Soorya said, referring to India finishing fourth in last year’s Challenge Cup in East Java, Indonesia.
India tests the mettle of the Philippines at 7 tonight, hoping to score its third straight triumph.
“Playing against the home team is very difficult because the audience support will go to the Philippines,” Soorya said. “But we will try to compensate (for) that.”
The Philippines battled Australia last night.
Hong Kong bounced back from its opening day-loss to Vietna by repulsing Indonesia 25-22, 26-24, 25-18 to level its record to 1-1 in Pool B.
Hong Kong yielded to defending champion Vietnam 13-25, 17-25, 16-25 last Wednesday.
Other matches today pit Iran against Chinese-Taipei at 10 a.m. in Pool A and Kazakhstan meets Vietnam at 1 p.m. Singapore clashes with Indonesia at 4 p.m. in Pool B.
