By Abby Toralba
AFTER a scrambling win last Saturday, Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan proved too much for Cignal yesterday, scoring a 25-23, 25-16, 25-23 victory and firmed up its hold of second place in the semifinals of the Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Asaka Tamaru, who marked her first overseas campaign with an explosive 29-hit blast in a 23-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-11 win over Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam last Saturday, led the Japanese with 16 points while skipper Kyoka Ohshima, who missed the game two days ago, had 22 excellent sets and three markers.
Saya Taniguchi also delivered for Kurashiki Ablaze with 11 while Yukino Yano registered a double-double outing of 10 points and 12 digs aside from eight excellent receptions.
Kurashiki coach Hideo Suzuki, speaking through an interpreter, said they focused on defense because the offense of Cignal was strong.
“We felt Cignal’s offense is strong so we focused on defense and it was a good game,” said Suzuki, whose wards hiked their record to 2-0 card, just behind the unbeaten defending champion Creamline (3-0), whom the Japanese will meet in the final semis game this Friday.
Creamline and F2 Logistics take their turn to challenge the visiting squads today, with the Cool Smashers facing the Vietnamese at 4 p.m. and the Cargo Movers going flat out to wheel back into contention against the Japanese at 6:30.
Ces Molina was the lone bright spot for Cignal, which fell to 1-3 record, by scoring 12 points on top of seven digs and seven excellent sets.
Kurashiki and Cignal battled it out practically on even terms in other scoring skills but the Japanese team’s overwhelming advantage in spikes 51-33 spelled the difference.
The HD Spikers, who gave up 20 points on miscues, had four blocks against the Ablaze’s three and made two aces against their rivals one. Kurashiki also yielded 23 points on unforced errors, including four to start the match.
