Choco Mucho bows to Zhetysu, finishes sixth in Asian Club Volleyball Championship

An error-filled Choco Mucho bowed to Zhetysu of Kazakhstan, 14-25, 11-25, 23-25 in their classification match in the 2021 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship on Thursday in Thailand.

With the loss, Choco Mucho wrapped up the tournament at sixth place followed by another Philippine representative, Rebisco, at seventh spot.

The Filipinas had a tough start, committing 11 errors in the opening set and converting only nine attacks. Mau led the Philippine side in that frame but a taller Zhetysu side powered by Valeriya Shatunova and Anastasiya Gurbanova proved to be too much for Choco Mucho.

The team rode on the defense of middle blockers Meneses and Dell Palomata, who brought them to within two early in the second set, 8-10. But Zhetysu unleashed a 15-3 run capped by a Shatunova kill to close out the frame.

Choco Mucho looked like they were down for the count in the third, but they rallied after facing a 22-15 lead. Kalei Mau and Ria Meneses joined forces to lead a 8-1 run and tie the game at 23-apiece.

Zhetysu then called for a breather, and a quick kill by Valeriya Chumack followed by an attack error from Mau sealed the win for the Kazakhs.

Choco Mucho earned the right to play in the battle of fifth after it eked out a 22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-17 victory over Rebisco in the all-Filipino classification showdown on Wednesday.

—MGP, GMA News