Last year’s champions Bangkok Glass salvaged a bronze finish, recovering from two sets down and upending Altay VC of Kazakhstan 22-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-6 in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Bangkok Glass let massive leads slip in the first two sets. Through the serving of American import Ashley Frazier, Bangkok Glass built a 16-8 lead in the opening frame. Altay VC crept back into the set and made their run with the Thais ahead 21-16. Making great reads at the net, the Kazakhs took seven straight points, three of which came from blocks. The Thais won just one more point before surrendering the last two and falling behind.
The Thailand Volleyball League champs again looked primed to take the second frame with a 22-18 advantage. But the Bangkok Glass offense hushed and allowed Altay VC to take the next six points before Pleumjit Thinakow ended the run. But Altay had all the momentum and plucked another set with a quick play.
The Thais then retaliated in the last three sets, not letting Altay VC sniff Bronze medal-point.
“We could hear the crowd cheering for us, urging us on. That was great. Thank you very much to the Filipino fans,” said Bangkok Glass team captain Pleumjit Thinakow.
Bangkok Glass rallied midway through the third set and blew Altay VC away, 23-17. The fourth set was another blowout with the Thais rushing to a 16-10 lead. The fifth frame was all Bangkok Glass as their blocking carried them to a 11-3 lead and the win.
“We played a very hard game yesterday so we might be pretty tired. But we are happy we could win the last three sets and get bronze,” said Bangkok Glass veteran Wilavan Apinyapong who topper Bangkok Glass with 19 points.
Ngoc Hoa Nguyan Thi added 18 points for Bangkok while Pleumjit managed 17.
Olga Biryukova topped Altay VC with 26 markers while Kristina Akinyokova had 12.
The Scores
Bangkok Glass (3) – Wilavan 19, Ngoc 18, Pleumjit 17, Frazier 14, Maliwan 9, Pornpun 5, Jutarat 2, Sutadta 1, Tikaporn (L)
Altay VC (2) – Briyukova 26, Akinokova 12, Anarkulova 11, Spelman 11, Aizharikhova 7, German 3, Matveyeva 3, Santos 1, Varbanova 1, Ezau (L), Sadykova (L)
