Beijing Baic Motor pulled off a stunning reverse sweep after trailing by two sets, toppling Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An in a thrilling five-set battle, 22-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-13, 15-10, to clinch the first quarterfinal ticket in Pool C of the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League, Monday morning at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Coming off a dominant sweep of Iran’s Saipa Tehran the day prior, 28-year-old outside hitter Jin Ye made sure to keep their momentum alive with a monster 30-point outing — powered by 24 attacks, four aces, and two blocks — along with 10 excellent digs, leading Baic Motor’s charge past the reigning Volleyball Vietnam League champions.
The victory also sealed the first postseason berth in the 12-team tournament, backed by federation partners Mikasa, Mizuno, and Grand Sport.
With a 2-0 record, Baic Motor emerged as Pool C’s top seed and will go on to face the second seed from Pool B, which includes PVL All-Filipino champions Petro Gazz, Chinese Taipei’s Taipower, and the rising Hong Kong squad Hip Hing.
(C) PVL Images
“I am familiar with the local teams here. I have been here before. But we have a younger team this year and all we want to do is bring more experience back to China so that we don’t have any pressure on us,” said Baic Motor head coach Kuang Qi through an interpreter.
Initially overwhelmed by the offensive firepower of Vietnamese star Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, Baic Motor found themselves in a deep two-set hole. But instead of crumbling, the China-based squad regrouped and dominated the next two sets with a blend of sharp attacking and solid floor defense to force a decider.
Their momentum carried into the final frame, where they surged to a commanding 13-7 lead. Two consecutive cross-court hits from Lu Yufei and Shan Lanfeng, followed by a key block from Shen Hongyi, put the match firmly in their control.
While Thuy landed two late hits and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa fired an ace to trim the deficit to 13-10, it was Jin Ye who iced the match with a crosscourt kill and a smart combination play, completing Baic Motor’s Pool C sweep in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“[Jin] is playing well. I am happy with both her performance today and her leadership that she brings to the team. She’s older, and she did what she’s asked for to do,” Qi added.
Jin got ample support from Shan, who poured in 20 points built on 14 attacks, four blocks, and two aces. Lu Yufei chipped in 14 points, while Shen added nine markers along with three excellent digs. Tian Yue contributed seven points from four attacks and three blocks.
The tournament is also supported by local partners PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal, and The Look Group.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the loss proved costly for VTV Binh Dien Long An, which now sits at a 0-1 record. The Vietnamese club will face a must-win situation against Saipa Tehran tomorrow at the same time and venue to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive.
Quynh led Long An with 22 points from 20 attacks, while Thuy added 20 markers on 18 kills. Russian import Lijewska Natalia contributed 12 points, while veteran middle blocker Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa tallied seven.
