Hanoi, Vietnam – The inaugural AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup 2025 has reached a thrilling climax at the Dong Anh Gymnasium, with the semifinals set to determine who will vie for the prestigious continental trophy and a coveted spot at the 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship. Hosts Vietnam and the Philippines secured top positions in their respective pools, setting the stage for exciting semifinal clashes against Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei, respectively.
On June 12, the atmosphere in Hanoi was electric as Vietnam, backed by a passionate crowd of 2,800 home supporters, continued their impeccable form by dominating Australia in straight sets (25-11, 25-14, 25-15). The Vietnamese team, reigning back-to-back AVC Challenge Cup champions from 2023 and 2024, remain the only unbeaten squad in the tournament, having not dropped a single set throughout pool play.
Vietnam’s star attackers Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh spearheaded the commanding victory. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen led all scorers with 13 points, all from attacks, while Thanh Thuy and Nhu Quynh contributed 12 points each. Despite Australia’s Ella Schabort putting up a fight with 11 points, Vietnam outmatched their opponents with superior attacks (48-24) and service aces (7-1), though Australia held a slight edge in blocking (6-4).
This victory propelled Vietnam to No. 28 in the world rankings, earning 3.96 points, while Australia slipped three spots to No. 60. Vietnam’s flawless pool performance included sweeping Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, India, and Australia, amassing an impressive total point tally of 300-163.
Chinese Taipei secured the second seed in Pool A after a four-set win over India (25-16, 25-20, 22-25, 25-17). Chang Yi-Chi was a standout performer, racking up a match-high 24 points (20 attacks, 4 blocks). She was ably supported by Hsu Wan-Yun (12 points), Tsai Yu-Chun (11 points), and Kan Ko-Hui (10 points). India’s Anagha Radhakrishnan led her team with 23 points, all from attacks. Chinese Taipei’s efforts earned them 3.58 points, lifting them to No. 42 in the world rankings with 88.90 points, while India remained at No. 63.
Meanwhile, in Pool B, the Philippines showcased their mettle by sweeping Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-19). Kazakhstan played without their captain Sana Anarkulova, sidelined due to a right knee injury. Energized by their vocal supporters, the Filipinas executed a precise game plan, powered by the dynamic trio of Mhicaela Belen, Alyssa Jae Solomon, and Angel Anne Canino. Belen led all scorers with 16 points (14 attacks, 2 blocks), Solomon added 14 points, and Canino contributed 13 points. Kazakhstan’s top scorer was opposite hitter Tatyana Nikitina with 12 points.
The Philippines’ victory earned them 10.2 points, maintaining their No. 47 world ranking with a total of 72.33 points. Kazakhstan dropped one spot to No. 31 with 116.87 points. The Filipinas finished atop Pool B with a 4-1 record and 13 points, narrowly edging Kazakhstan, which also posted a 4-1 record but had 12 points.
Elsewhere in Pool B, Mongolia celebrated their first win of the tournament with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Iran (25-18, 21-25, 14-25, 25-21, 15-11). Mongolia’s outside hitters Enkhnaran Ganbold and Narangua Sumiyabeis led the charge with 15 points each. Iran’s Fatemeh Khalil Chermahini scored a match-high 19 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the upset. Indonesia also secured their second win by comfortably defeating New Zealand in straight sets (25-14, 25-15, 25-19), paced by Ersandrina Devega Salsabila’s 16 points.
At the conclusion of pool play, the standings saw Vietnam top Pool A with 12 points from four straight-set victories, followed by Chinese Taipei with 9 points, Hong Kong, China in third with 4 points, Australia fourth with 4 points, and India fifth with 1 point. In Pool B, the Philippines led with 13 points, Kazakhstan second with 12 points, Iran third with 8 points, Indonesia fourth with 7 points, Mongolia fifth with 3 points, and New Zealand sixth with 2 points.
The semifinal matchups, scheduled for June 13, promise intense battles: Vietnam will face Kazakhstan at 5:30 p.m., while the Philippines will take on Chinese Taipei at 8:00 p.m. The latter match is particularly intriguing as a rematch of last year’s AVC Challenge Cup where Alas Pilipinas (Philippines) swept Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-18).
Alas Pilipinas’ semifinal journey has been marked by resilience and skill. Their thrilling 3-2 victory over Chinese Taipei in the semifinals—25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 15-25, 15-12—secured their first appearance in an AVC tournament final in over six decades. The Filipino Spikers overcame a fierce comeback from Chinese Taipei, who erased a two-set deficit to force a deciding fifth set. Eya Laure emerged as a stabilizing force in the final set, delivering crucial points and closing out the match at 14-11.
Leading the scoring charge throughout the match were Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, who each tallied nine points in the opening set. The team’s captain, Jia Morado-de Guzman, praised her teammates for their focus and determination, noting, "Honestly, right after yesterday’s game, the moment we got into the dugout, our minds were already focused on Kazakhstan. We knew today would be a tough match, and we had to give our very best to win." The trio of Belen, Solomon, and Angel Canino powered the Philippines’ campaign, with Belen scoring 16 points and Solomon 14 in their upset over Kazakhstan.
Chinese Taipei, on the other hand, fields a strong core largely drawn from KingWhale Taipei, a club that competed in the Philippine Volleyball League (PVL) in 2022 as the league’s first foreign guest team. KingWhale Taipei earned a silver medal in that tournament and includes several key players on the national squad: former PVL best setter and captain Liao Yi-Jen, best libero Qiu Shi-Qing, opposite hitter Chen Chieh, and reserve setter Chen Li-Jung. Their head coach, Teng Yen-Min, and assistant coach Chang Chih Hsuan, a former utility winger, bring valuable experience to the team.
Notably, only two players from Alas Pilipinas—Jia de Guzman and Dell Palomata—have faced KingWhale Taipei in the PVL, adding an interesting dynamic to the upcoming semifinal. Liao Yi-Jen and coach Teng Yen-Min have expressed respect for Jia de Guzman’s smart playmaking, anticipating a tough battle between the setters.
Adding to Chinese Taipei’s strength is the presence of players from Taipower, another Taiwanese champion club that competed in the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League earlier this year. Taipower’s scoring quartet, including opposite hitter Huang Ching Hsuan and outside hitters Tsai Yu-Chun and Hsu Wan-Yun, also bolster the national team’s firepower.
As the semifinals approach, the stakes could not be higher. Vietnam’s unbeaten streak and home-court advantage make them a formidable opponent for Kazakhstan, who will be eager to upset the hosts. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei face off in a high-stakes rematch loaded with history, talent, and national pride.
Earlier on the same day, classification matches will determine rankings beyond the top four, with India battling New Zealand for a spot in the ninth-place match, and Hong Kong facing Indonesia, while Australia takes on Iran in the fifth-place semifinals.
The AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup 2025 has delivered thrilling volleyball, showcasing rising talents and established stars across Asia. With the semifinals underway, fans can expect electrifying action as teams fight not only for the trophy but for a place on the continental stage in 2026.
