Japan dumps Korea, enters semis

MANILA, Philippines - Japan topped Korea, 30-28, 25-22, 25-23, to gain the first semifinals seat while the Philippines continued to flounder even only in the consolation round of the 15th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday.

The Japanese beat the Koreans with a more lethal offense and steadier defense, making it five in a row after a three-game sweep in the group plays and a swashbuckling start in the quarterfinals against the Australians Friday.

They are tipped to nail a sixth straight win against the Indonesians at the close of the quarters.

The Koreans and the Aussies meet in a virtual knockout match in the other Pool E match today.

Iran enhanced its own semis bid in Pool F after a 22-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 thumping of Chinese Taipei.

The host team, meanwhile, remained winless in five outings, bowing to Sri Lanka, 23-25, 24-26, 26-28, over at the San Andres Gym.

Thailand defeated Qatar, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20, and Hong Kong nipped Maldives, 25-23, 24-26, 25-17, 15-25, 15-8, in the other classification round games of the tourney presented by the Philippine Volleyball Federation and sponsored by CNG Vehicles Corporation and Omnium Philippines.  

Shimizu Kunihiru starred for the Japanese versus the Koreans, scoring 19 kills and three blocks.

Fukuzawa Tatsuya contributed 14 kills and one block for the Japanese who are looking to regain the crown they last won in 2005. The Japanese also topped the event in 1975, 1983, 1987, 1991 and 1995.

The Japanese totaled 50 kills as against the Koreans’ 39.

“Korea is great when it comes to hitting and blocking, so we focused very well on receive and digs. The other things came naturally,” said Japanese coach Ueta Tatsuya.