By Vu Duc - The Saigon Times Daily
HCMC – Vietnam’s national volleyball team defeated Vingroup from Ukraine 3-2 in Saturday’s final, defending the title at the seventh International Women’s Volleyball Tournament, also called VTV- Ferroli Cup, while Thailand beat VTV Binh Dien Long An 3-1 to rank third.
Vietnam won the first set 25-23, then romped in the second 25-15 to roars from local fans at Daklak Indoor Stadium.
Vingroup team bounced back in the third, winning 25-20 and further capitalized in the fourth winning 25-21 to even the scores. Vietnam regained confidence and overcame Vingroup 15-10 in the fifth set, to pick up first prize of US$5,000.
Earlier in the day, the young players from Thailand came in third after beating VTV Binh Dien Long An 25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 25-20.
Vingroup got US$3,000, Thailand pocketed US$2,000 and VTV Binh Dien Long An received US$1,000.
In addition to securing the gold medal, Vietnam’s Do Thi Minh won best player award, while Vingroup’s 17-year-old Degtyarova was voted the most beautiful player.
On Friday, the Vietnam national woman’s volleyball team had beaten other Vietnamese representatives VTV Binh Dien Long An 3-1 in the first semifinals while Ukrainian Vingroup defeated Thailand 3-0 in the second semis.
Vietnam Television (VTV) organized the tournament for the seventh time in the Central Highlands province of Daklak. The seven-day tournament drew six teams – young players from Malaysia, Thailand, Suansunanta from Thailand, Vingroup from Ukraine, VTV Binh Dien Long An and Vietnam national woman’s volleyball team.