Iraq tows Power Pinoys to quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines got the break it needed courtesy of Iraq Saturday and secured its place in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Asian Mens Volleyball Club Championship.

Iraq’s South Gas Sports Club rolled past Mongolia’s Altain Bars, 25-12, 25-17, 23-25, 25-15 Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and towed the PLDT HOME TVolution Power Pinoys to the next round.

With their entry to the last eight, the Power Pinoys, who split their first two matches in Pool A, assured the country of one of its best finishes in a prestigious continental tournament.

Metodi Amaniev, a member of the Bulgarian national team, fueled the Iraqis’ charge with 26 points as last year’s seventh placers recovered from a poor third set to complete a sweep of Pool A.

Also making the quarterfinals were Iran’s Matin Varamin and Lebanon’s Al Zahra from Pool B, Qatar’s Al-Rayyan and Kazakhstan’s Kondensat from Pool C and China’s Baic Motors and Chinese-Taipei’s Taipei City from Pool D.

The pairings in the last eight will be determined by a draw slated late Saturday night. The quarterfinalists will take a break Sunday to give way to the classification round from ninth to 16th place. The quarterfinals unfolds Monday.

Kazakhstan sealed its place in the next round after a 25-13, 25-16, 25-18 triumph over Oman.

Blasting 43 hits against Oman’s paltry 17, the Kazakhs finished the group stage with a 3-1 record behind Qatar’s Al-Rayyan.

The Qataris dumped Hong Kong’s Green Dragon, 25-17, 25-11, 25-22 for a sweep of Pool C at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Mohamed Alchachdadi delivered 13 kills in a 16-point performance to power the Qataris, who will advance to the quarterfinal round riding on a four-game winning streak.

In a battle of unbeaten teams at Mall of Asia Arena, Iran overwhelmed Lebanon, 25-16, 25-20, 25-27, 25-17 to top Pool B.