Japan sweeps Asian volley elims; RP faces China in QF

Japan flashed some kind of resiliency as it fought back from an opening set loss and turned back Australia, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-10, yesterday to sweep Pool A in the fifth Asian Girls Under-18 Volleyball Championships at the Mandaue Sports Complex in Mandaue City.

Stunned by the gritty Aussies in the first set, the Japanese settled down and played good defense n the second frame to draw level then rolled to victories in the next two to notch the win, their third in as many games at the close of the eliminations of the tournament sanctioned by the Asian Volleyball Federation and organized by the Philippine Volleyball Federation.

Japan’s win came on the heels of its romp over Team Philippines late Friday where the Japanese pounded the hosts with solid spikes to run away with a 25-17, 25-16, 25-12 victory.

Despite the loss, the hosts’ second straight, RP team coach Sammy Acaylar was satisfied with how his wards played, saying: "I’m really proud of my girls because they played with more intensity."

The RP squad, formed just weeks before the tournament, was still playing with Chinese-Taipei at presstime.

Although the Pinay netters, led by Cebuanos Michelle Simbajon and Genie Sabas, remain winless, they are assured of a spot in the quarterfinal round which starts today, also at the Mandaue Sports Complex.

But unfortunately, the hosts will face powerhouse China, which is also poised to sweep Pool B as it is heavily fancied to prevail over winless India at presstime. Other teams advancing to the quarters are Taiwan and Australia in Pool A and Thailand, Korea and Vietnam in Pool B.