HK coach admits taller PH got used to their style of play quickly

AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship game between Foton Pilipinas and Hong Kong. Screengrab from Volleyball World HD1.

BIÑAN—What looked to be an early dominance for Hong Kong turned out to be false hopes when Foton Pilipinas found its groove later in the match and held down its fort.

Kwai Tsing head coach Lam Chun Kwok said, through his team captain Cheung Man Lee, the Tornadoes had them calculated after their brief spell of a lead in the first set.

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“The main part is I think the Philippine team got used to our style and they found a way to defeat us,” said Lam, whose team lost in straight sets, 25-20, 25-14, 25-10, Saturday at Alonte Sports Arena here at the start of the AVC Asian Women’s Club championship.

Hong Kong had the Philippines on the ropes with an early 8-4 lead but the Tornadoes countered right away and got control of the game in the second set.

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The Philippines, as ironic as it sounds, had the height advantage over Hong Kong with Jaja Santiago and import Ariel Usher making life miserable for Kwai Tsing’s hitters.

“With the height of the players, for example, and they started to use formations not just outside then spike,” said Lam.

“They got used to our team and our play.”