ECZACIBASI Vitra Istanbul is on track but Volero Zurich is hot on the trail of the defending champions after Day Three on Thursday of the 2016 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women’s Club World Championship at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Eczacibasi Vitra secured the first ticket to the semifinals from Pool A after the Turkish squad frustrated Rexona-Sesc Rio, 27-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11.
And while the reigning titlists were paving their return to the championship, multi-titled Swiss team Volero Zurich dismantled one Asian squad after another—Bangkok Glass and Hisamitsu Springs– to become the first team from Pool B to enter the semifinals.
Volero Zurich, however, has its hands full in sweeping Pool B. It went up on Wednesday against Vakifbank Istanbul, which had a record-breaking 27 team blocks in dismantling Hisamitsu Springs in its first match on Monday.
Zhu Ting, named the Most Valuable Player in China’s gold medal-run at the Rio 2016 Olympics, is at the forefront of Vakifbank Istanbul’s campaign in the world championship.
After going down 1-2, Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul willed its way back to force a decider and vaunted its championship form when it mattered most to snatch its second victory—and a semifinals berth—after the two-hour encounter.
“I’m really happy with the result because we played a very tough match against a strong team,” Eczacibasi Vitra Head Coach Massimo Barbolino said. “We had many [confusions] and many mistakes, but it’s important to believe in ourselves. We had 22 blocks, so it’s not bad.”
Tijana Boskovic, a 19-year-old Rio Olympics veteran from Serbia, shone brightest for the reigning titlists with 28 points on 20 attacks, eight blocks and an ace. Jordan Larson-Burbach and Tatiana Kosheleva had 15 points apiece, while Thaisa Pallesi Daher and Rachael Adams chipped in 11 points each.
The defending champions goes for a sweep of Pool A against Philippine Superliga-F2 Logistics Manila at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Eczacibasi tallied 62 attacks and 22 team blocks against Rexona, numbers that its head coach said does not satisfty him.
“We can do better, but we have to think about the next match,” Barbolini said.
A tight battle for the semifinals has shaped up in Pool A. Pomi Cassalmagiorre went 1-1 won-lost for two points. The European champions went for a slot to the next round against Philippine Superliga-F2 Logistics Manila on Thursday night.
Rexona has five points on a 1-2 win-loss card. The South American team still has a slim chance to for the last semifinals berth in Pool A if PSL-F2 Logistics pulled off a miracle against Pomi Cassalmagiorre.
Pomi Cassalmagiorre needs to win at least three sets to secure five points, enough to get them to the semifinals. But if PSL Manila wins by three sets or forces a fifth set, regardless of the result, Rexona will advance to the semifinals.
But Rexona Head Coach Bernardo Rezende already accepted their fate in the tournament.
“This is our third match and we don’t have any games left in the first round. We’re just frustrated because we could have done something more,” Rezende said.
Image credits: Alysa Salen