Tag: bronze

Alas tormentor Vietnam bags bronze in FIVB Challenger Cup

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Vietnam celebrates during a victory over Belgium to bag the bronze in the FIVB Challenger Cup in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Vietnam stunned Belgium, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, to salvage the bronze medal in the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Ace hitter Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen exploded for 35 points on 34 hits as the Vietnamese, world No. 34, stood their ground in completing an upset of the world No. 13 Belgians.

The win made up for Vietnam’s 19-25, 14-24, 19-25, loss against world No. 16 Czechia in the semifinals to become the only Asian squad in the podium.

READ: Vietnam star T4 all praises for Alas Pilipinas, Jia De Guzman

It’s a strong follow-up to the Vietnamese’ championship last May in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup, which was also hosted by the country led by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara at the nearby Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Vietnam, which eliminated host Alas Pilipinas in the quarterfinals with a 25-14, 25-21, 25-22 win, made it happen with the support from Nguyen Thi Trinh and skipper Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who chipped in 10 and seven points, respectively.

“I’m very happy for this win and I’m very proud of my teammates. We have a good connection and we did well today,” said Thuy, dubbed as T4 in the volleyball community.

Tran Thi Thanh Thuy

Vietnam’s Tran Thi Thanh Thuy during the bronze medal game against Belgium in the FIVB Challenger Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

READ: Alas Pilipinas loses to Vietnam, bows out of FIVB Challenger Cup

Save for a close second-set defeat, it was all Vietnam in the duel against the European bet that also bowed out in the semifinals of the tourney backed by global partners Mikasa, Gerflor and Senoh and local partners PLDT, Rebisco, Manila Diamond Hotel, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Meralco, MWell, Cignal, Fitness First, Maynilad and Foton.

Belgium absorbed a 19-25, 15-25, 16-25 loss against world No. 15 Puerto Rico in the other pairing to settle for a bronze medal match to no avail.

Manon Stragier, Pauline Martin, Britt Fransen had 14, 13 and 11 points, respectively, for the Belgians in a commendable fourth-place finish.

Puerto Rico and Czechia were to play at press time for the Challenger Cup title and the coveted promotion ticket to the elite Volleyball Nations League (VNL).



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Alas Pilipinas girls cop bronze medal in Thailand U18 tournament

On: By: admin


FILE–Alas Pilipinas girls during a game in the Princess Cup Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Thailand.–Photo from SMM Volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas Girls captured a historic bronze medal in the 22nd Princess Cup Southeast Asian Under-18 Women’s Volleyball Championship after sweeping Australia, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20, in the battle for third on Thursday at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.

The national youth team turned to Kimberly Rubin and Harlyn Serneche anew to beat the Australians for the second time this tournament and earn its best finish in its second appearance in the regional meet.

Alas, under rookie Japanese coach Taka Minowa, surpassed the previous fourth place of the former national youth team, led by Princess Cup Best Libero Kath Arado in 2016.

READ: Alas Pilipinas girls lose chance to reach final of Thailand tilt

The 2016 youth team fell to to Indonesia, 12-25, 21-25, 17-25, in the bronze medal match but Arado proved to be the silver lining of the tournament after earning a spot on the mythical team.

In the u-18 team’s revival, Minowa, also Akari’s coach in the PVL, and his wards won four of their six games, bouncing back from a crucial 22-25, 18-25, 19-25 loss to Indonesia on Wednesday.

The nationals dominated the opening set but needed to fight back from a 13-16 deficit in the second as the Aussies committed three consecutive attack errors before Serneche drilled an attack and Lianne Penuliar nailed an ace for a 19-16 lead.

READ: Alas Pilipinas podium finish ushers in new era for PH volleyball

Australia trimmed it down to 22-21 but Serneche and Ashley Macalinao put on the finishing touches of the second for a two-set lead.

Alas broke a tie at 19-all after back-to-back miscues from Australia before Rosie Alchin stopped the bleeding, 21-20. Maile Salang’s big block and miscommunication from the Aussies allowed the Filipinos to pull away with a 23-20 lead, as Rubin sealed the bronze with back-to-back kills.

Interestingly, Alas women’s team, led by Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino, earned bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup last month after beating Australia.

The national youth team got a morale booster from its bronze finish before heading to the Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship starting on Sunday at the same venue.



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Thailand and Indonesia will clash for the Princess Cup supremacy later in the day.