Olympic champs show might

MANILA, Philippines — France flexed its Olympic muscles as it sank Japan, 25-22, 27-25, 25-16, yesterday to keep its stranglehold of the lead in Week 2 of the Volleyball Nations League at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jean Patry dropped 14 points while Trevor Clevenot uncorked 10 hits as the Roosters hiked their total to 18 points on six wins in seven matches to keep the Poles at second with 15 points.

The Ryuji Nippon rested high-flying, power-hitting Yuji Nishida following an electrifying 28-hit performance in a 25-20, 21-25, 24-26, 25-19, 15-13 win over Italy Friday night.

Minus Nishida, the Japanese just did not have enough to pull the rug from the Tokyo Olympic gold medalists and fell to third with 15 points.

Earlier, the Netherlands showed nerves of steel in the fifth and final set as it edged Germany, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13, to jump to fifth with 14 points on five wins in eight outings.

Nimir Abdel-Aziz unleashed 24 points including the match-clinching kill in the final set that propelled the Orange Tulips to the win and in title-contention.

It was a solid Manila stint for the flying Dutch as they wound up with a 3-1 card here with their lone defeat coming at the hands of the French.

“It was good. We had a good time here. It was fun. The fans are great, the gym nice,” said an impressed Abdel-Aziz.

The Argentines slipped to No. 12 with eight points on two wins in eight outings.

PLDT is a presenting partner while The STAR, Quezon City headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte, Maynilad, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee are among those backing this ultra-competitive 16-nation event.