ECZACIBASI VitrA Istanbul advanced to the semifinals of the FIVB Women's Club World Championship after surviving a tough challenge from Rexona Sesec Rio, 25-27, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.
Tijana Boscovic, a member of the Serbia squad that bagged silver in the Rio Olympics, scored 28 points as Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul notched its second win in as many matches.
Tatiana Kosheleva chipped in 15 as Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul joined Volero Zurich in the next round.
The Turkish team had 22 against only seven by the Brazilian squad.
“I’m really happy for the result because we play one very tough match against a really, really strong team,” said Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul coach Massimo Barbolini.
“After the first set we were playing with many mistakes but it was important to restart to play, to believe that we can win and in the end we did 22 blocks,” he added.
Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul will face home team PSL-F2 Logistics Manila on Friday.
“First of all 80 percent of the job we have to work about us so we have to pay attention on what we are doing and after for sure we have to pay attention to the opponent,” said Barbolini.
Rexona Sesc Rio dropped out of the semifinals race with a 1-2 win-loss card.
Monique Pavao scored 24, Gabi Guimaraes added 14, while Juicely Barreto and Carolina da Silva chipped in 10 markers each for the Brazilian club.