Pinay 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, 1525 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 worldclass 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.