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[av_heading heading=’PSL-F2 Logistics falls to Japan as FIVB World volley nears end ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Philippine Superliga-F2 Logistics suffered yet another defeat in the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship at the hand of the Hisamitsu Springs Kobe, 25-15, 25-18, 25-21, on Saturday night at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the defeat, the PSL-F2 Logistics will settle for a battle-for-seventh place match against Bangkok Glass, which also lost to Rexona Secs Rio, at the close of the tournament on late Sunday.
The PSL-F2 Logistics built an early 8-3 lead behind Lindsay Stalzer but the Hisamitsu Springs quickly responded to snatch the lead at 18-11. Despite a few hits from the home team, the Japanese squad was unstoppable in taking the first set.
It was a tight exchange for both teams in the second frame with the score tied at 15-all, but the Hisamitsu Springs went on a scoring rampage behind Yuki Ishii, Miyu Nagaoka, and Risa Shinnabe to take the second set.
The third set turned out to be a see-saw battle for both teams with the Hisamitsu Springs hanging on to a 16-14 lead. But conversions from Ishii and Nagaoka allowed the Japanese squad to run away with a straight set victory.
“For every point, the Hisamitsu Springs made us work. They’re a very disciplined team. We should learn a lot from this game,” said PSL-F2 Logistics head coach Moro Branislav.
Meanwhile, reigning champion Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul booked a return ticket to the finals following a masterful conquest of crosstown rival VakifBank Istanbul, 25-23, 19-25, 25-17, 25-23, in the semifinals.
Serbian star Tijana Boskovic had an impressive performance at the attack zone, but it was the defense which towed Eczacibasi to the brink of registering historic back-to-back titles in this prestigious tourney.
The Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul will face European champion Pomi Casalmaggiore, who stunned Volero Zurich, 25-27, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, in the gold medal match slated on Sunday evening./PN
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