Thailand down Puerto Rico to emerge second

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Category: Ningbo District

Published: Monday, 27 May 2013 08:34

Hosts China, who stamped their authority in the first leg in Ningbo last week, made it two-in-a-row with a clean sweep of victories in the four-team two-phase invitational competition.

On Friday, Asian powerhouse China thrashed former three-time Olympic champions Cuba 25-13 25-15 25-12 in their last match, while Thailand, fourth-place winners at the FIVB World Grand Prix and champions at the AVC Cup last year, struggled hard against the fast-improving Puerto Rico, the team they had beaten in three easy sets at Ningbo last week.

Puerto Rico gave Thailand a run for their money but the Kingdom emerged winners due to their greater experience. Thailand rallied to win the encounter 21-25 25-13 25-17 21-25 15-5.

Invincible China were crowned champions for the second consecutive time, while Thailand, who collected four points from two wins against one loss to China, finished second. In Ningbo last week, Thailand were second. Puerto Rico and Cuba finished third and fourth.

The Thai team returned late last night. They are due to take on Cuba in this year's World Grand Prix second leg in Russia in August and Puerto Rico in the third leg at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in the same month.

In September, Nakhon Ratchasima will host the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship where the hosts will contend with 15 other teams, including defending champions China, for the lone ticket to the World Grand Champions Cup in Japan later this year.