Vietnam beats Alas in straight sets

MANILA, Philippines —  Alas Pilipinas’ journey to the Women’s Volleyball Nations League has ended while Vietnam’s odyssey has just begun.

Flexing their powerful muscles, the Vietnamese nipped the Filipinas’ ambitious bid in the bud, 25-14, 25-22, 25-21, last night that sent the reigning AVC Challenge Cup queens straight to the FIVB Challengers Cup semifinal at the packed Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Vietnam arranged a semis showdown with the Czech Republic, which earlier made Argentina cry with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-16 triumph, today.

Belgium and Puerto Rico will play in the other semis pairing for a shot at the lone ticket to the VNL main draw next year.

Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyan wreaked havoc as she peppered the helpless Filipinas with a 30-point performance laced with 27 devastating kills.

Alas made some noise in the second and third sets when it stared Vietnam eye to eye.

It forced the hands of the Vietnamese, who finally unleashed their battle-scarred captain in Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, or more popularly known as T4, after she didn’t see action in the Challenge Cup even though she was in uniform.

Tran, however, huffed and puffed and chipped in just two points but made damage just the same.

Alas fought back from a 2-8 deficit in the third set and snatched a one-point lead twice, the last at 19-18.

Vietnam though had all the answers and kept its poise to seal the deal.