Asian Club tilt: Blaze Spikers bow to Koreans

MANILA, Philippines - Petron dropped a 13-25, 18-25, 11-25 setback to 4.25 Sports Club of North Korea over the weekend but vowed to rebound against Islamic Azad University Monday at resumption of the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship at the Ha Ham Competition Hall in Phu Ly, Vietnam.

Coach George Pascua hopes to finally draw a solid game from Brazilian import Rupia Inck Furtado as the Blaze Spikers try to build some momentum heading to their crucial games against powerhouse club teams Zhejiang of China Tuesday and reigning champion Hisamitsu Seikayu Springs of Japan Wednesday.

Finishing the pool play at the bottom of Group B will boot the Blaze Spikers out of title contention in the event serving as a qualifier to the FIVB World Club Championship next year and relegate them to the battle for fifth to ninth places.

Pascua said he is looking for an improved performance from Furtado following a dismal showing in their initial outing where she was limited to only seven points in one hour and 14 minutes of play.