VitrA, Pomi clash for crown

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning champion Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul and  European titleholder Pomi Casalmaggiore figure in what is expected to be a seething battle for volleyball’s most prestigious women’s world crown in the final of  the FIVB Women’s Club World Championships today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul leaned on its relentless attacking game as it turned back fellow Turkish club VakifBank Istanbul, 25-23, 19-25, 25-17, 25-23, yesterday to clinch the first finals berth.

In the nightcap, Pomi Casalmaggiore downed Volero Zurich, 25-27, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, to clinch the other finals slot.

Power-spiking Tijana Boskovic, a member of the Serbian national squad, unloaded 22 hits, 17 of them on kills, three on service aces and two off blocks while Russian Tatiana Kosheleva uncorked 13 points to send the defending champions to today’s finale.

Samanta Fabris paced the Italian club Pomi Casalmaggiore with 23 hits while Lucia Bosetti, team captain Valentina Tirozzi and Jovana Stevanovic added 16, 12 and 11, respectively, to lead the way.

“Proud of the team, it was a difficult win,” said Tirozzi.

Volero, which was led by American national team mainstay Foluke Akindradewo’s 19 points, suffered their first defeat and will take on VakifBank Istanbul in the duel for the bronze medal.

In consolation play, Hisamatsu Springs Kobe of Japan destroyed F2 Logistics Manila’s last hope to salvage some measure of pride with a quick, merciless 25-15, 25-18, 25-21 victory.

Yuki Ishii paced her team with 16 points while Risa Shinabe and Miyu Nagaoka scattered 14 and 10, respectively.

F2, a team reinforced by seven foreigners, was led by Lindsay Stalzer’s 15.

The highest scorer among the seven local players who made the team was Jovelyn Gonzaga, who chipped in three.

The Filipinas remained winless with the tournament set to wind down.

F2 will play Southeast Asian champion Bangkok Glass for seventh place today, hoping to give the Filipinos something to cheer about after a disappointing and frustrating week.