Eczacibasi back in FIVB WCWC finals, trumps rival VakifBank

Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul vs VakifBank Istanbul. INQUIRER PHOTO/Sherwin Vardeleon

Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul moved one step closer to glory as it blasted rivals VakifBank Istanbul 25-23, 19-25, 25-17, 25-23, to return to finals of the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Jordan Larson-Burbach powered one off the VakifBank blockade to stamp the defending champions ticket to the championship round and send their rivals to scrap for the bronze medal.

No team in the FIVB tournament has reached back-to-back finals, let alone repeat as champions, but Eczacibasi has the potential to make history on Sunday.

Eczacibasi’s Italian head coach Massimo Barbolini said they couldn’t rely on offense alone to get the job done, and that their tempo should start with their defense.

“We won because of our defense,” said Barbolini who one-upped his compatriot Giovanni Guidetti. “Both teams had unbelievable plays in attack but if you want to win against unbelievable teams like Vakif you have to play good defense.”

Eczacibasi’s defense was heads above VakifBank’s as the defending world champions outdid the Turkish domestic champions in all non-scoring statistics.

Barbolini’s team had a 35-26 advantage in digs and a 36-24 margin in receives.

Tijana Boskovic led Eczacibasi with 22 points while Tatiana Kosheleva and Thaisa had 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Setter Maja Ognjenovic and outside hitter Jordan Larson-Burbach also finished in double figures with 10 points apiece.

Zhu Ting led VakifBank with 23 points while Lonneke Slöetjes added 10.