By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Hong Kong and Kazakhstan drubbed their respective rivals to boost their semifinal drives in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, May 25.
The Hong Kong spikers crushed their Singaporean counterparts, 25-14, 25-12, 25-12, while the Kazakhs claimed the scalp of the Indonesians, 25-17, 25-13, 25-22.
It was Hong Kong and Kazakhstan’s second win in three outings, putting them behind unbeaten Vietnam (3-0) in Pool B.
They also made their last preliminary match on Sunday, May 25, critical in their campaigns.
Shum Lam and Chim Wing Lam starred for Hong Kong with 17 and 15 points, respectively, while combining for 27 of the team’s 41 points. Chim also erupted at the service area by unloading five aces.
Middle blockers Yim Wing Li and Fong Ka Yi, for their parts, provided stiff defense for the Hong Kong crew by posting combined four blocks as the Singaporeans struggled with their offense by managing with only 20 kills throughout the 74-minute match.
In the other match, Zhanna Syroyeshkina carried the cudgels for Kazakhstan by exploding for 23 points built on 19 kills and four aces. Skipper Sana Anarkulova also chipped in nine points.
Meanwhile, the Alas Pilipinas tries to stay unscathed in Pool A as they battle Iran at press time.
The Nationals are coming off a 22-5, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 triumph over India the other day for their second straight win.
Only the Top 2 teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals scheduled Tuesday, May 28.
