Kazakhstan's Zhetysu completes title sweep in AVC Champions League

Zhetysu of Kazakhstan ruled the inaugural 2025 AVC Champions League hosted by the Philippines, cruising to the crown with an unscathed record.

The powerhouse club flexed its might against Vietnam's VTV Binh Dien Long An, winning in four sets, 25-14, 20-25, 25-23, 25-18, in their championship duel on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Team captain and outside hitter Karyna Denysova led the way with 23 points anchored on 21 attacks, one block, and one ace as Zhetysu capped off a perfect run that saw them winning all five games from the group stage up to the finals.

Zhetysu, the same team that swept Philippine bet Creamline during the preliminaries, erased an early five-point deficit in the crucial fourth set after the Vietnamese club raced to a 10-5 lead on an error from the opposing side.

But Zhetysu didn't fold and slowly got back to its groove, forcing a 23-all deadlock after an attack error from Vietnam's skipper Tran Thi Thanh Thuy.

Another infraction from them had Zhetysu taking the match point at 24-23 before 6-foot-4 middle blocker Valeriya Yakutina denied Vi Thi Nhu Quynh to deliver the game-winning point.

Opposite hitter Tatyana Nikitina supplied the help with 16 points on 14 attacks, one block, and an ace while Yakutina and Yuliia Dymar chipped in 12 and nine markers apiece.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima QminC salvaged a podium finish after eking out a 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19 win against China's BAIC Motor in the battle for third place.

Evangelia Chantava spearheaded the offense with 22 points on 19 attacks and three blocks while American import Anyse Smith and Sasipapron Janthawisut chimed in with 16 and 14 markers each.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News