Show of force by USA

MANILA, Philippines — The mighty Americans just wouldn’t let anybody stop them in their tracks this time.

Out to make up for a catastrophic straight-set defeat at the hands of the overachieving Japanese in Week 1 in Shreveport-Bossier City in Los Angeles on June 6, the proud reigning three-time champions have brought in the best of the best and have since gone on a rampage.

The latest victim was Poland, which was on the receiving end of a quick, unforgiving 25-12, 25-21, 25-16 devastation yesterday in the VNL’s intense Week 2 action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It came just a couple of days after the reigning Olympic champion and world No. 1 flattened a listless Bulgaria, 25-20, 25-22, 25-20.

The pair of lopsided triumphs sent the Americans to second with 15 points on five wins in six outings behind only Japan, which kept its sensational unbeaten run with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-23 flagging of Bulgaria Thursday night that kept its iron grip of the solo lead with 17 points.

Interestingly, this was the same bunch of spikers from the Land of the Rising Sun who sent the mighty Americans down on their knees, 25-22, 25-20, 25-20, on the latter’s home soil.

It was the reason they sent in the cavalry – Tokyo Olympic gold medalists outside hitter Kelsey Robinson, setter and skipper Micha Hancock, libero Justine Wong-Orantes and middle blockers Chiaka Ogbogu and Haleigh Washington.

Now, they’re on a warpath.

“We’re just having fun playing the best in the world,” said Hancock.

Alexandra Frantti went on an attacking spree and unleashed a match-high 18 points including 15 on kills while Madison Kingdon Rishel and Nia Reed each scattering 12 hits.

The Poles slipped to eighth with 10 points on four wins against two defeats.

The US will close out its Week 2 campaign with showdowns against Asia’s powerhouses China and Thailand today and tomorrow, respectively.

In the second game, China outlasted Canada, 25-16, 18-25, 25-12, 25-18, to jump to fourth with 13 points.

The Canadians fell to 10th with nine points.