Kaohsiung Taipower broke away from a tight fourth-set battle with a relentless offensive surge, quashing Petro Gazz’s hopes of a comeback and clinching a 25-15, 25-16, 19-25, 25-20 victory to advance to the quarterfinals of the AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League at the Philsports Arena on Monday.
Just nine days after celebrating their breakthrough Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino title, the Angels struggled to find their rhythm against the seasoned nine-time Top Volleyball League champions, who leaned on the consistent firepower of 21-year-old outside hitter Hsu Wan-Yun and 23-year-old wing spiker Tsai Yu-Chun to dominate.
The Taiwanese dismantled the Angels’ confidence early, taking the first two sets with clinical precision. Though Petro Gazz managed to mount a spirited third-set rally to avoid a sweep, Taipower recovered midway in the fourth, closing the door with a powerful finishing run to top Pool B.
The victory was a commanding follow-up to Taipower’s 25-10, 25-16, 25-14 demolition of Hong Kong’s Hip Hing last Sunday, setting up the Taiwanese against the No. 2 team from Pool C in the knockout quarterfinals of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal, and The Look Group.
In contrast, the Angels, fresh off their historic Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino championship, looked like a shadow of their championship form.
The team struggled to find rhythm, particularly in trying to integrate American import Gia Day into their system.
Day showed glimpses of brilliance early on and during the third set, but her influence waned as Taipower intensified the pressure. Fellow import Brooke Van Sickle attempted to spark a comeback, but her efforts weren’t enough to lift the Angels past the relentless Taiwanese side.
To advance, the Angels must regroup and deliver a convincing win over Hong Kong’s Hip Hing on Tuesday to clinch the other quarterfinal seat.
The Angels showed grit in the closing moments, saving two match points – first with a crosscourt hammer from Van Sickle and then through a well-placed serve by Remy Palma that Taipower failed to return.
But Palma's next serve sailed long, sealing the match in one hour and 44 minutes – a showcase of Taipower’s offensive firepower, superior ball control and airtight floor defense.
“I was a little nervous because before, I was just a player, but I am a coach now. I trust my players to deliver in this game,” Taipower head mentor Chang Li-Yun said, who previously played for Petro Gazz tactician Koji Tsuzurabara for the Chinese Taipei women’s volleyball national team.
The Angels staved off a shutout loss with a strong finishing kick in Set 3, capped by a Joy Dacoron quick kill and an ace by two-time PVL MVP Van Sickle.
The Angels appeared headed for another strong showing in the fourth after forcing a tie at 8 but the Taiwanese found their groove in time. They uncorked a dominant 11-3 run, which ended with a Peng Yu-Rou quick hit, a running attack from middle blocker Hu Xiao-Pei, and an attack error from Day as Taipower pulled away, 19-11.
Three consecutive hits from All-Filipino Finals MVP MJ Phillips kept the Angels within striking distance at 18-22, but a Day service error, an ace from Peng, and another service miscue from Palma sealed the Angels’ fate.
“My players need more communication and teamwork heading into the quarterfinals, so we will work on that… Also serve, it needs to be stronger,” Chang added.
Hsu powered Taipower with 18 points on 16 attacks with 14 excellent digs and three receptions, while Peng and Tsai provided 11 and 10 points each in the victory.
Team captain Huang Ching Hsuan added nine points on six attacks and two aces, while Hu and Lin Cai-Zhen chipped in eight points each.
Should the Angels advance past the quarterfinals of the tournament, supported by federation partners Mikasa, Mizuno, and Grand Sport, they will face the top team from Pool C – Beijing Baic Motor, which swept its group that includes Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An and Iran’s Saipa Tehran.
Day still impressed in her Philippine debut with 18 points on 16 attacks and eight excellent digs, while Van Sickle tallied 13 points on 11 attacks with eight excellent digs.
Phillips scored nine points on six attacks and three blocks, while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas achieved eight points on seven attacks with six excellent digs.
