AVC Women’s Cup: Unbeaten teams Vietnam, Kazakhs bolster semis bids

Kazakhstan’s Tatyana Yatskiv tries to score against Iran in the AVC Women’s Cup 2026.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — Defending champion Vietnam and Kazakhstan kept themselves unbeaten in three games in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Cup on Monday at Candon City Arena here.

Vietnam survived the gritty Indonesia, 18-25, 25-22, 25-18, 19-25, 15-13, thanks to Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh’s 22 points each.

Vietnam, seeking a fourth consecutive crown, was two points away from winning the fifth set, 13-11, but Indonesia never gave up, with Chelsa Nurtomo nailing an ace for the equalizer. 

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Le Nhu Anh scored her 15th point to reach match point, 14-13, before Tran nailed the game-winning hit.

Ersandrina Devega’s 26-point effort went for naught, as Indonesia slid to a 1-2 record.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan shook off another sluggish start and stayed on course for a semifinal berth with a 13-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-19 victory over Iran.

It was the second consecutive match where the Kazakhs dropped the opening set before turning the tide — they won in four over Hong Kong after a straight-sets victory over Indonesia.

Kristina Belova had 23 points on 21 attacks and two blocks, while Tatyana Yatskiv had 13 points on 10 attacks and three blocks. Yuliya Fomenko had four of Kazakhstan’s 11 blocks to finish with 10 points.

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Vietnam and Kazakhstan boost their semis chances, as the top two from each pool move on to the semifinals.

Hong Kong broke through with its first win, defeating Lebanon, 25-20, 25-8, 25-13.

Sum Yuen Tang had 14 points on 12 attacks and two aces, while Lam Shum had 13 points, all on attacks, for Hong Kong, now with a 1-2 record.

Shantelle Marie Demirjian scored 10 and Razan El Hajj Hassan had eight points for Lebanon, which stayed winless in two matches.