Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, May 29, 2017 – Thailand’s Supreme VC sealed their semi-final berth via a 3-1 (25-20, 25-12, 18-25, 27-25) win against the Philippines’ Rebisco-PSL at the SMM 2017 Asian Women’s Club Samruk Kazyna Volleyball Championship on Monday.
Fatou Diouck scored 28 points in Monday’s match at the Boris Alexandrov Sports Palace and knew she needed to step up in crucial moments.
“The fourth set was really difficult and we were a bit stressed, but I needed to set my mind to play well because I have a role to fulfil for the team to win,” Diouck said.
Supreme VC opened the first set without completely using the usual starters, and allowed Ajcharapron Kongyot and Patcharaporn Sittisad to operate at the wings. The Philippines were able to keep up Alyja Santiago and Jovelyn Gonzaga firing from the flanks, to stay within three points (13-16) at the second technical time-out. Rebisco-PSL later succumbed to errors in attack and ball-handling and allowed Supreme VC to pull up a 25-20 win in the opening set.
Diouck continued as one of the Thai club’s main options in offence in the second set. She connected from the wing, and unleashed her power from the back row as well. Santiago and Gonzaga maintained fighting form for the Philippines’ side, but Supreme VC displayed better orchestration and simply took more attacks. They took the luxury of running combination plays and scored off them. The Thai side won the second set, 25-12.
By the third set, Rebisco-PSL took a 16-12 advantage at the second technical time-out. Mika Reyes and Abigail Maraño picked up some points from the middle, and the Philippines were posting improved defence in transition. Supreme VC tried to remedy the situation by bringing in captain Wilavan Apinyapong to help save set point but momentum was on the opponents’ side. Rebisco-PSL took the third set, 25-18.
In the fourth set, the Philippines’ Santiago took charge, unleashing sharp attacks. Their persistent defence against a strong attacking team brought them to a 16-14 lead in the second technical time-out. Supreme VC now resorted to using Pleumjit Thinkaow to fortify the middle. The Thai side later seized the lead at 19-18. Ajcharaporn and Diouck further connected and later, Rebisco-PSL saved three match points for 24-24. After an exchange of points, Supreme VC won 27-25 in the final set.
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