TIANJIN, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Hosts Bohai Bank Tianjin progressed to the semifinals of the 2019 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship, beating Vietnam's VTV Binh Dien Long An 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-15) here on Friday.
The semifinals will see Tianjin, the four-time champions at Asian Club Championships, play against Japanese powerhouse Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs, who swpet TPE of Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-23) in the quarter-finals.
Liu Xiaotong was the leading scorer for Tianjin with a game-high 17 points from14 spikes, Li Yingying and Gong Xiangyu added 14 and 10 points respectively.
"We can't underestimate any team in the knock-out stage, beacuse every team has the desire to win," said Li Yingying, "The semifinals is a huge task for us, they (Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs) are one of the favorites to win the title, but we are ready for it."
Tianjin now is the only team maintaining a perfect record in the tournament.
In another thrilling quarter-finals duel, Altay VC of Kazakhstan eaged DPR Korea's 4.25 Club 3-2 (25-22, 15-25, 19-25, 27-25, 15-12) in exhausting 125 minutes. 4.25 Club's captain Jong Jin Sim scored 47.
Title holders Supreme Chonburi from Thailand will face Altay VC in the semifinals after they smashed Hong Kong International Volleyball Club 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-10).
