MANILA, Philippines — Zhetysu VC of Kazakhstan completed a perfect Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League run after beating Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An, 25-14, 20-25, 25-23, 25-18, in the winner-take-all final on Sunday night at Philsports Arena.

Zhetysu emerged as the best Asian club in Pasig City after winning all five games and only dropping one set in the whole tournament. It has also qualified for the FIVB Club World Championships, and brought home $20,000.

“We didn’t expect to lose only one set, but we already knew that the Vietnam team is very, very good. (From the bottom of) my heart, I believed we are better,” said Zhetysu coach Marko Grsic.

“I want to say congratulations to the Vietnam team. They were very, very good in this tournament. I want to say big, big bravo and congratulations to my team. We won all games and we proved in the final that we were very brave. I think we deserved this title. I’m very proud of my team.”

Zhetysu VC’s Karina Denysova is the AVC Champions League MVP. –AVC PHOTO

Karina Denysova delivered 23 points to lead the balanced attack of the Kazakhs, who displayed grace under pressure after losing the second set and were tested in a toe-to-toe duel in the third.

Denysova emerged as the MVP and one of the Best Outside Hitters after a masterful campaign.

Zhetysu fought back from a 12-15 deficit in the third set, forcing a tight duel down the stretch tied at 23.  Vi Thi Nhu Quynh committed a costly attack error that pushed the Kazakhs at set point before Valeriya Yakutina drilled the set-clinching block for a 2-1 advantage.

The Kazakhs pulled away in the fourth with a formidable 19-12 spread off Yakutina’s block and never looked back to finish a championship story in Pasig City.

Tatyana Nikitina also stepped up with 16 points, while Yakutina drilled six blocks to finish with 12 points in the gold medal match. Yullia Dymar and Daria Sharhorodska chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

Yakutina was one of the Best Middle Blockers, while Daria Sharhorodska took home the Best Setter award.

Vietnamese star Tran Thi Thanh Thuy’s 28-point explosion went for naught. Quynh had 18 points only to settle for silver and $15,000. Thuy was the Best Opposite Spiker, while Quynh took the other Best Outside Spiker award. Nguyen Khanh Dang won the Best Libero.

Binh Dien Long still earned a slot in the club world championships for reaching the Champions League final.

Nakhon Ratchasima nabs bronze

Nakhon Ratchasima during the AVC Champions League battle for third. –AVC PHOTO

Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima captured the bronze after taking down  Beijing Baic Motor, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19.

After their semifinal loss to Zhetysu just less than 24 hours ago, the Devil Cat bounced back with Greek spiker Eva Chantava delivering a stellar triple-double performance of 22 points, 12 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions.

Anyse Smith had 16 points and 13 excellent digs. Sasipapron Janthawisut chimed in with 14 points, while Best Middle Blocker Tichakorn Boonlert and Kaewkalaya Kamulthala added 10 points for Nakhon Ratchasima.

“This is a rebranded competition. I participated last year in Korat, and this feels like a whole new experience,” said Nakhon Ratchasima head coach Somchai Donpraiyod. “I feel so good to be here and to see the team’s performance.”

Nakhon Ratchasima topped Pool D with a 2-0 record after beating PLDT. The Thai club knocked out Creamline in the quarterfinals before the semis exit at the hands of the eventual champions.

Baic Motor ended its stint with two straight losses but still brought home $5,000.

Shan Lanfeng led the way with 17 points. The Chinese swept Pool C before surviving Petro Gazz in a five-set thriller in the quarterfinals but fell to VTV in the semis.