CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur – Chinese Taipei joined South Korea at the top of Pool A and moved within striking distance of a semifinal berth after a straight-sets victory over Uzbekistan, 25-17, 25-13, 25-19, in the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, on Tuesday at the Candon City Arena here.
Both Chinese Taipei and South Korea now hold identical 3-0 records and are just one win away from securing semifinal spots in Pool A.
South Korea earlier defeated Alas Pilipinas, 25-16, 25-18, 25-22.
Wu Tzuhua delivered her best performance of the tournament with 13 points built on nine attacks, three blocks, and one ace.
Xu Zhenxuan and Ko-Hui Kan added 11 points each, while Tsai Yuchun chipped in 10 markers to power Chinese Taipei.
Uzbekistan, meanwhile, was officially eliminated from contention in the continental tilt co-presented by the FIVB, AVC, Volleyball World, and the Candon City government led by Mayor Eric Singson, after suffering its third straight defeat.
Dilnoza Boymirzaeva was the lone double-digit scorer for Uzbekistan with 11 points.
(C) Mayor Eric Singson
In another Pool A match, Australia bounced back from a setback and overpowered Kyrgyzstan in four sets, 25-15, 25-27, 25-16, 25-23, to secure its second win.
The Volleyroos, coming off a four-set loss to Chinese Taipei, regained their footing behind Caitlin Bettenay, who led the way with 13 points.
Ella Schabort and Lara Maric contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
For Kyrgyzstan, Raiana Baiamanova and Roza Rasulbek Kyzy finished with 13 points each as the team absorbed its fourth consecutive loss.
In Pool B action, Iran earned its first win of the tournament with a dominant 25-9, 25-8, 25-15 victory over Lebanon, while Indonesia kept its slim semifinal hopes alive after a 25-20, 27-25, 25-14 win over Hong Kong.
(C) Mayor Eric Singson
Fatemeh Khalili led Iran, now 1-2, with 10 points on eight attacks, one block, and one ace, while Elahe Poursaleh added nine markers built on six attacks, two aces, and one kill block.
For Lebanon (0-3), Mirna Cheikho and Razan El Hajj Hassan scored five points each.
(C) Mayor Eric Singson
Meanwhile, Chelsa Berliana Nurtomo powered Indonesia with 13 points as the team improved to 1-2, while Medi Yoku added 11 markers.
