Japan delivered a performance to remember as it dethroned China, 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 25-16, to claim its breakthrough Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup for Women title at the PhilSports Arena Monday night, Aug. 29.
The Japanese went to other sources when their top scorer Yuki Nishikawa was shut down by China’s great defensive wall with Mizuki Tanaka firing a match-high 19 points.
Miwako Osanai also emerged as a heroine as she plugged that Nishikawa hole and erupted for 15 hits in just over a set, including a spectacular 10-point explosion in the decisive fourth.
Their heroics sealed the Japanese their first crown in the event while serving China a dish best served cold—revenge—after losing the title in 2018 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Asuka Hamamatsu and Miyu Najagawa joined the parade with 12 points apiece that more than made up for a quiet, six-point effort of Nishikawa.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for the five-time winner of this event after coming here as the heavy title favorites.
It didn’t help that Wu Mengjie faltered when her team needed it most as she was held scoreless in the fourth set after scoring 11 in the first three.
Earlier, Thailand swept Vietnam, 25-19, 26-24, 25-18, to bag the bronze-medal honors.
The Thais held the Vietnamese players to single digits with Chatchu-on Moksri at the center of their assault with 16 points including 14 kills.
Pimpichaya Kokram also delivered 14 points, all from the attack line, while Hattaya Bamrungsuk and Sasipapron Janthawisut chipped in 10 points apiece.