VIETNAM bolstered its title-retention bid in the AVC Challenge Cup for Women by scoring a 25-17, 25-15, 25-27, 25-13 victory over Indonesia yesterday to clinch a semis berth at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Vietnamese crew, ranked 38th in the World, flexed their muscles to complete a 4-0 sweep of their Group B action.
Kazakhstan also sealed a semifinals ticket after a dominant straight sets triumph over Hong Kong 25-17, 25-18, 25-4 to finish second in the Pool B with a 3-1 slate.
The Philippines, already assured of a semis berth, was battling Chinese-Taipei late last night.
Thi Nhu Quynh Vi exploded with 26 points, 23 from attacks, two service aces and a kill block, to lift Vietnam while Tu Linh Tran fired 11 markers in the one-hour and 43-minute game.
Also providing offense for the Vietnamese were Thi Tra My Nguyen and Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen who combined for 20 points.
Vietnam will face the second-ranked team from Pool A in the crossover semifinals on Tuesday.
Skipper Sana Anarkulova had 22 points for the Kazakhs, while Zhanna Syroyeshkina chipped in 16 markers.
Ranked 30th in the world, Kazakhstan will battle the first-ranked crew from Pool A in the semifinals.
“This is [a] very serious game. It’s the last chance [for us] to go to [the] semifinals. We understood this, and we needed to win. Just win,” said Anarkulova.
The winner of the AVC Challenge Cup will gain a slot in the FIVB Volleyball World Challenger Cup in July in Manila.
