Vietnam successfully defended its AVC Challenge Cup for Women championship.
The Vietnamese team did not even need the scoring prowess of star Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, sweeping the tournament and capping it off with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 victory over Kazakhstan in the gold medal game on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
With this triumphant title retention, Vietnam has also qualified for the 2024 FIVB Women’s Challenger Cup to be held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the Philippines.
Earlier, Alas Pilipinas secured bronze with a 25-23, 25-15, 25-7 win over Australia.
Vietnam showcased its championship mettle during the third set when Kazakhstan went ahead late, 20-16.
Through Tournament MVP Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, the defending champions rallied with six straight points to retake the advantage, 22-20, and ultimately took the fight out of the Kazakhs.
A through-the-block hit by Svetlana Nikolayeva pushed Kazakhstan to within two, 22-24, but she gave the title to Vietnam with an attack error in the following play.
Tuyen exploded for 26 points, making her presence felt in each frame with eight in the first, ten in the second, and eight in the clincher.
Tran Tu Linh contributed nine points, while Best Middle Blocker Le Thanh Thuy posted seven points, built on five blocks.
Pacing the silver medalists was captain Sana Anarkulova with 15 points but she was held to just three in the all-important third set.
Middle blockers Kristina Anikonova and Valeriya Chumak also had 10 and eight points, respectively, in the loss.
