Chinese Taipei reaches AVC final

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — Chinese Taipei bounced back from its stinging loss to South Korea in pool play with a 25-23, 25-16, 25-13 whitewash of Kazakhstan yesterday to claim the first final ticket to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup finals at the Candon Sports Arena.

The Taiwanese, Pool A No. 2 seed, were a bit more resolute on this one and dominated the Kazakhs, the Pool B top seed, in the last two sets after surviving a closely fought opening frame.

The result catapulted Chinese Taipei to the finals and guaranteed of its best finish in the continental level.

The Taiwanese will shoot for the gold against either South Korea, Pool A’s No. 1, and Vietnam, Pool B’s No. 2 and the reigning three-peat champions.

“We hope Filipinos support us,” said Chinese Taipei skipper Liao Yi-Jen.

It was a heartbreaking setback for Kazakhstan, which came here as the prohibitive favorite after going into their duel with Chinese Taipei unbeaten in five outings, including a five-setter over the Vietnamese – the tournament favorites.