MANILA: Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen scored 35 points as Vietnam stunned Belgium, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, in the battle for bronze medal in the FIVB Women’s Challenger Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Sunday.
The 6-foot-1 opposite hitter, who plays for LPBank Ninh Binh club, delivered 11 attacks in the first set and had nine more in the next frame which the world No. 13 Belgium won.
Middleblocker Thi Trinh Nguyen chipped in 10 attacks while team captain Thi Thanh Thuy Tran had five attacks, one block and one ace for the Vietnamese, who prevailed after one hour and 55 minutes.
Vietnam eliminated host Alas Pilipinas, 25-14, 25-21, 25-22, in the quarterfinal, but lost to world No. 16 Czech Republic in the semifinals, 19-25, 14-25, 19-25.
‘I’m very happy about this win and I’m very proud of my teammates. We have a good connection and we did well today,’ Tran said.
Outside hitter Manon Stragier finished with 14 points for Belgium, which bowed to world No. 15 Puerto Rico, 19-25, 15-25, 16-25, in the semif
inal.
Opposite Pauline Martin and middleblocker Britt Fransen added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The gold medal match between Puerto Rico and Czech Republic was ongoing as of posting time.
The winner will also earn a ticket to the elite Volleyball Nations League next year.
Last May, world No. 32 Vietnam won the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup at nearby Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Source: Philippines News agency