Japan’s Shiba, Ishitsubo go undefeated to rule FIVB Boracay Open

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Satono Ishitsubo and Asami Shiba cruised to a clean sweep of Japanese compatriots Sakurako Fujii and Minori Kumada, 21-14, 21-18, to take the gold medal in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open Sunday at White House Beach in Station 1, Boracay.

Shiba and Ishitsubo, the world No. 86 pairing in the world, went undefeated in the whole tournament and capped off their perfect run with a drop shot to foil Fujii and Kumada’s attempt for a third set.

In the men’s division, Thailand’s Narongdet Kangkon and Banlue Nakprakhong denied Yuya Ageba and Nobuaki Taira, 19-21, 22-20, 15-8 to capture the gold medal.

Australia’s pair of Brittany Kendall and Stefanie Weiler took the women’s bronze medal after holding off Slovenia’s Tjasa Jancar and Tjasa Kotnik, 21-15, 18-21, 19-17.

Japan’s Jumpei Ikeda and Katsuhiro Shiratori got the better of the Austrian partnership of Maximilian Trummer and Simon Baldauf, 16-21, 26-24, 16-14 to clinch the bronze medal in the men’s division.

The Philippines finished fifth in the women’s division with Cherry Rondina and Bernadeth Pons lost to Fujii and Kumada, 21-17, 21-19, on Saturday.