Tran Thi Thank Thuy took over for Vietnam, en route to completing a thrilling five-set comeback, 19-25, 25-17, 16-25, 25-18, 15-10, against Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals of the 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women, Saturday afternoon at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Down 6-9 in the deciding set, Vietnam found a way to use its efficient passing to put the ball into its captain’s finishing. With its block also working with Doan Thi Xuan, Tran eventually ended the match on her own terms with a booming down-the-line spike.
Tran pulled through with 25 points, nine of which came in that take-charge fifth set, ending with 23 attacks and two blocks.
“It is important for me to set the mood for the team and for us to work together for this win,” the 24-year-old captain said through an interpreter. “The crucial point is for the team to fight very closely.”
Chinese Taipei jumped on the early lead in the first set with its target service disrupting Vietnam’s passing lanes, which eventually led to the set advantage.
Vietnam cleaned its act in the second to take a huge 18-8 lead, to which Chinese Taipei tried to come back but to no avail as the Southeast Asians took the set. This fight-back, though, fuelled the East Asians to that huge third set win for the 2-1 sets advantage.
Vietnam then turned to its block, especially in that fourth set to eventually force a deciding fifth set.
Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh was a force at the net for Vietnam with five of the squad’s 15 block points, while Doan picked up from where she left off with five as well. Hoang ended with 17 attacks as well. Nguyen Tri Thinh added 10 markers on nine attacks and one service ace.
Chen Tzu-Ya paced Chinese Taipei, especially at the service line with four service aces of the side’s nine total. She added fifteen attacks to end with 19 points. Wu Fang-Yu chipped in 13 attacks.
Vietnam will take on the winner of the Iran-Japan quarterfinals match, while Chinese Taipei will battle the losing team. Both the semifinals and the classification matches are scheduled on Sunday.
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