AWCC: Rebisco PSL-Manila yields to Hisamitsu Springs

Libero Denden Lazaro assesses the match pic.twitter.com/OXyPFXuHHW

— Marc Anthony Reyes (@marcreyesINQ) May 25, 2017

UST-KAMENOGORSK, Kazakhstan — Hisamitsu Springs needed some time to size up Rebisco PSL-Manila but still came up with a performance worthy of a two-time champion team to post a 25-17, 25-10, 25-14 victory Thursday at the start of the Asian Women’s Club Championships.

The Filipino spikers, led by 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago, briefly took control in the first set, 9-6, and kept the game close through her unstoppable attacks and occasional net drops by Kim Fajardo.

But that was not enough to keep Rebisco abreast with the 2002 and 2014 titlist which soon employed its almost flawless, and systematic defense at the Boris Alxeandrov Sports Palace.

Santiago scored 16 points for the Filipinos who are coming into the tournaments without an import. Fajardo had four points and 11 excellent sets, while Ces Molina, Rhea Dimaculangan and Jovelyn Gonzaga each had three points.

Mika Reyes and Rachel Anne Daquis both scored two points, while Aiza Pontillas added one for Rebisco which had 18 errors, mostly on attacks.

Coach Francis Vicente to Rebisco PSL You didn’t play badly. You just lacked speed and volleyball IQ. Napainit nyo ulo nung Hapon. Be proud. PHOTO BY MARC REYES

“Why are you so sad?” asked head coach Francis Vicente during the post-game huddle inside the locker room. “You learned from them. You didn’t play badly. We just need more speed. More volleyball IQ. You got the Japanese coach worried in the first set. Be proud.”

Middle blocker Fumika Moriya led the Japan club with 14 points, while Yuka Taura and Yuka Imamura chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively.

Erika Sakae tossed 33 excellent sets to set Hisamitsu’s offence flowing and wreaking havoc against Rebisco.

The Japanese, playing together as one team as opposed to the Philippine Superliga selection, really stepped on it in the second and third frames, smartly sensing all their opponents’ weakness and pouncing on just about every unguarded spot on the floor.

“We have to have that kind of mindset, which is to play with that kind of speed,” said Vicente.

All in all, according to Vicente, the Filipinos played very well and should have learned a neat lesson ahead of their goal to land a medal in the Southeast Asian Games in August.

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