Filipina spikers succumb to fancied Japanese

JAKARTA – The Philippine volley belles took another shutout loss, this time against the fancied Japanese, 12-25, 15-25, 21-25, in the 18th Asian Games at the Bulungan Sport Hall here yesterday.

Unlike in their 22-25, 12-25, 15-25 defeat to the Thais last Sunday where they turned in a solid start before cracking in the last two sets, the Nationals recovered from two lopsided set losses with a gutsy stand in the third before yielding.

They fought back from a 3-6 deficit and battled the Japanese on practically even terms with Dindin Manabat coming through with back-to-back hits to force a standoff at 12.

But a Majoy Baron service error put Japan on top again and the latter kept the initiative behind Risa Shinnabe, Erika Shinomiya and Mai Okumura, holding the Filipinas at bay at 21-19.

Japan then took the next three points on Ishii’s spike and kill block and M. Sato’s service ace and wrapped the match on an E Shinomiya kill after Manabat hammered in her fifth and last spike.

The Pinays succumbed early to the Japanese power and world-class play, struggling for 12 points in the opening frame and hardly recovering in the next.

But they put up a tough stand in the third with Manabat, Baron, Cha Cruz and Jaja Santiago combining to keep the game close in the 59-minute encounter.

Manabat and Santiago finished with identical seven points while Alyssa Valdez added five hits and Baron chipped in four for Team Phl.