VakifBank get dramatic revenge for Manila loss in Istanbul derby

Lausanne, Switzerland, November 26, 2016 - VakifBank Istanbul took revenge for their defeat to crosstown rivals and reigning FIVB women's world champions Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul with a five-set away win to open Round 6 of the Turkish League Regular Season Saturday evening - and they did it in the most dramatic style, coming back from two sets down and 10-20 in the third to take the match 3-2 (27-29, 17-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-10).

It was a series of substitutions in the third set by VakifBank coach Giovanni Guidetti that turned the tide and denied Eczacibasi what seemed up until then a quick and easy straight-set win, as China superstar Zhu Ting, the MVP of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games bore the majority of the scoring with a total of 28 points for the defending champions. The 21-year-old was the only VakifBank player to start in all five sets.



Milena Rasic of Serbia and Kirdar Gozde added another 17 and 16 points respectively, as VakifBank overhwelmed their opponents on the net with 17 stuffs to 10.

Russia's Tatiana Kosheleva with 21 points and Serbia's Tijana Boskovic, the MVP of the 2016 FIVB Club World Championship in Manila, with 17 were Eczacibasi's top scorers - but that was mostly before the team collapsed in the third set.

The two teams had clashed last month in Manila in the semifinals of the 2016 FIVB Club World Championship, with Eczacibasi winning in four sets and going on take the gold medal, leaving VakifBank to console with the bronze.

The result in Istanbul means VakifBank remain the only undefeated team after six matches. It was the second loss for Eczacibasu this season, after their opening day defeat to Bursa Buyuksehir in five sets.

Rexona continue to dominate in Brazil
In other women's club action across the globe, Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro destroyed Sesi Sao Paulo 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-12) at home in Tijuca, with Juciely Barreto scoring 13 points and Anne Buijs of The Netherlands named MVP of the game.

Rexona libero Fabi with fans after Rexona's straight-set win in the Brazilian Superleague.

Together with Dentil Praia Clube of Uberlandia - who shut out Rio do Sul 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-17) with Ellen Braga scoring 18 points - Rexona are the only undefeated team in the Brazilian Superleague after six rounds of the Regular Season. The two sides are set to clash on 21 December, right before the Superleague takes a break for Christmas.

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