PHILIPPINE Superliga (PSL)-F2 Logistics was denied of a seventh-place finish as the home team bowed down to Asian rival Bangkok Glass of Thailand in straight sets, 16-25, 23-25, 20-25, at the conclusion of the 2016 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women’s Club World Championship 2016 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was Bangkok Glass’s first win in the FIVB World tournament, as American Ashley Frazier led all scorers with 12 points. Vietnamese Thi Ngoc Hoa Nguyen and Thidarat Phengvechai chipped in 11 points each, while skipper Pleumjit Thinkaow added nine hits for the visiting squad.
The home team failed to get a single win in the tournament and finished at the bottom of the eight-team cast.
“Big thank you to all the spectators, to the organizers of this tournament, my players and coaching staff. This is one of the best organized FIVB tournaments,” PSL-F2 Logistics Manila Head Coach Moro Branislav said.
Branislav fielded all the Magnificent 7 in the third set and put up another valiant stand but the club team from Thailand was simply too deep to hurdle.
Jaja Santiago had 11 points to lead the home team, while American reinforcements Lindsay Stalzer and Stephanie Niemer had eight and seven hits, respectively. Imports Geniya Nyukhalova and Lynda Morales added six apiece.
Meanwhile, VakifBank Istanbul copped the bronze medal with a convincing 25-14, 21-25, 25-22, 25-11 victory over Volero Zurich.
Dutch opposite spiker Lonneke Sloejtes had 16 points, Serbian Milena Rasic delivered 15 hits highlighted by seven blocks, Rio Olympics Most Valuable Player Zhu Ting, who helped China win gold, scattered eight attacks and five blocks for 13 markers, and skipper Gozde Kirdar added 11 for the Turkish club.
“I’m proud of my players, they wanted to finish with the win. They go to the court with a good performance and it’s always nice to finish with the win,” said Vakifbank Head Coach Giovanni Guidetti, who was satisfied with their finish after falling short to reach the finals.
They were eliminated by Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul in the semifinals on Saturday.
“It’s not easy to play this game because our team lost yesterday because our moods were down but, of course, we came here to finish good,” Kirdar said.
Volero Zurich, which finished bronze last year, settled for fourth. The Swiss team swept the three teams in Pool B only to lose in the semifinals at the hands of Pomi Casalmaggiore in five thrilling sets.
Defending champion Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul, which eyes a title repeat, was eyeing a repeat against the first-timer Pomi Casalmaggiore in the gold-medal match, which was being played as of press time.
Rexona-Sesc Rio notched the fifth place as it turned back Hisamitsu Springs Kobe in five sets, 20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 30-32,15-7.
Monique Marinho Pavao and Juciely Barreto combined for 41 points to propel the Rio-based team to the win. Anne Buijs and Gabi Guimaraes contributed 16 and 15 hits, respectively. Carol da Silva added 12 for the Brazilian club.
The Japanese club team, fifth-place last year, settled for sixth and was led by Risa Shinnabe, Miyu Nagaoka and Yuki Ishii who combined for 55 points.
Image credits: Alysa Salen