MALAYSIA PUT IT PAST GALLANT SINGAPORE TO FINISH ON THE PODIUM AT 3RD AVC WOMEN’S CHALLENGE CUP

MALAYSIA PUT IT PAST GALLANT SINGAPORE TO FINISH ON THE PODIUM AT 3RD AVC WOMEN’S CHALLENGE CUP

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 29, 2022 – Determined Malaysia overcame a strong challenge from Singapore to pull off dominant straight-set 25-23, 25-21, 25-19 win in their last match of the “21st Princess Cup” 3rd AVC Women’s Challenge Cup to finish third in the single round-robin tournament at Nakhon Pathom Sports Centre Gymnasium here on Wednesday.

Both sides made a strong start in the first set, but Malaysia, spearheaded by powerful hitter Low Mei Cing, who stands 184cm tall, proved their class as they took an early 13-10 lead. With Low Mei Cing and hard-attacking, pint-sized 160cm-tall Siah Irene Qi Min, puncturing the Singaporean defence with their powerful blows, Malaysia stretched it to 19-17 before Lau Yue Ting Rachel and Quek Soo Teng gave Singapore a strong comeback to meet the rivals at 20-20 and again 22-22.

Playing well under pressure, Malaysia regained their composure and bounced back aggressively to win two points in a row for the team’s commanding 24-22 lead. Singapore scored one crucial point before Low Mei Cing attacked spectacularly from the back row and it went without returning to help lift the Malaysia’s hard-fought first set 25-23.

In the second set, Malaysia still lived up to expectation as they played every element much better than Singapore, which had yet won a single match in the six-day tournament. Malaysia, fifth place at the recent 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, got off to a flying start to lead 4-1 and continued their good run to advance 18-12.

Singapore tightened their defence and at the same time, counter-attacked with sharp cross-court spikes from Chua Jolyn Xin Yi and deceptive drop shots to reduce the margin 20-22. However, the Malaysians proved that their comeback 3-2 victory against Uzbekistan, which later outplayed Singapore in straight sets, was no fluke. They kept the Singaporeans at bay with their improved tactics and teamwork to win the set 25-21.

Malaysia took command in the third set to lead from start to finish. As Malaysia remained in good form to lead with an 8-point clear at 19-11, Singapore tried hard to stage a fightback, but their  intention was short-lived as the Malaysians stole the show shortly after that. Low Mei Cing attacked powerfully to help the team win the set 25-19 and match.

Low Mei Cing scored a match-high 20 points from 16 attacks and 4 blocks, while Lau Yue Ting Rachel led Singapore with 10 points.

After completion of four matches, Malaysia had 5 points from 2 wins against 2 losses to overtake Uzbekistan to the third spot of the 3rd AVC Women’s Challenge Cup. Uzbekistan finished fourth place with 4 points from one win against 3 losses, while winless Singapore came in fifth position with no point awarded.

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