Choco, Rebisco remain winless

MANILA, Philippines — Zhetysu of Kazakhstan survived Choco Mucho’s serious challenge in the first two sets and hammered out a 25-22, 25-19, 25-15 victory yesterday in the 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship at the Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

It was the first win for the Kazakhs, the nine-time club champions back home, in Pool A while Choco Mucho absorbed its second straight defeat after losing to host Nakhon Ratchasima, 11-25, 26-28, 17-25, the day before.

Led by Kalei Mau, Choco Mucho showed some fight in the first set and the early part of the second but succumbed to the taller, bigger Kazakhs in the end.

Meanwhile, Rebisco, the Philippines’ other team, received a piece of good news after skipper Aby Maraño, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Eya Laure and Ivy Lacsina were cleared to play after going through extra health protocols.

However, it hardly mattered as Rebisco was blown away by Supreme Chonburi of Thailand, 11-25, 16-25, 16-25, to likewise slip to a 0-2 card.

It plays Saipah Tehran of Iran today for the third seeding in Pool B quarterfinals.