BY ABBY TORALBA
DEFENDING champion China overpowered Korea 25-9, 25-8, 25-9 yesterday to open its bid on a high note in the the AVC Cup for Women at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Zhuang Yushan led China with 13 points, 11 from attacks and two service aces, while Zhou Yetong scored 11 markers in the match that only lasted for one hour and nine minutes.
Middle blocker Hu Mingyuan also had 10 points, while Wu Mengjie had seven markers as the Chinese belles launched their bid on a high in the continental tilt.
After thumping Korea in the opening set, China showed no mercy in the second frame, zooming an early seven point-lead 9-2.
Skipper Wang Yifan put China ahead comfortably 22-7, after a through the block hit before Zhou Yetong ended the set with a cross court kill.
The Chinese never looked back from there and led 23-7, with Zhuang Xinru sealing the emphatic win with an off the block hit.
Choi Hosun was the lone bright spot for the Koreans with seven points.
In the second match, Japan hacked out a 25-18, 25-19, 25-22 victory over Thailand.
Yuki Nishikawa sizzled with 20 points for the Japanese side composed of its national Team B, while Miyu Nakagawa and Mizuki Tanaka added 14 and 11 markers, respectively.
“We felt nervous because it’s (our) first game, but we got to play our volleyball,” team captain Mika Shibata said. “That was a really great game.”
“We’re so happy and of course that all the people in the Philippines are cheering for us and that was really good energy,” she added.
With the win, Japan took the early lead in Pool B.
Chachu-on Moksri pumped in 10 points, while Sasipapron Janthawisut had eight for Thailand.