Choco Mucho came up short against Vietnam 2, losing in a gripping five-set match with scores of 25-22, 28-26, 21-25, 20-25, 9-15, resulting in an even 2-2 record in the 2023 VTV Cup at Lao Cai Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
With the Flying Titans now at a 2-2 standing, they maintain their position in third place, highlighting the increased importance of their final assignment in the elimination round.
To secure a smoother path to the knockout semifinals, Choco Mucho’s task of securing a victory against South Korea’s Suwon City tomorrow at 4 p.m. becomes even more critical.
The Flying Titans were trailing by just two points, 7-9, when Vietnam delivered yet another significant turning point.
Hoang Thi Thao spearheaded their 6-2 finishing rally, leading to the reverse sweep.
During the initial set, with the Flying Titans holding a slender one-point lead late at 21-20, the Vietnamese team lost its composure and committed four consecutive errors of varying types.
The second set showcased a back-and-forth struggle, ultimately tipping in Choco Mucho’s favor due to the clutch performances of Maddie Madayag and Des Cheng, securing a commanding 2-0 set lead with a score of 28-26.
In the third set, the Flying Titans seemed poised for a sweep as they established a 19-13 advantage, needing just six points to secure victory.
However, Vietnam mounted a comeback, sealing the set with an impressive 12-2 rally to prolong the match.
Vietnam then effectively neutralized Choco Mucho’s attack in the final stages of the fourth set, leading to a decisive fifth set with a score of 25-20.
