Japanese clubs dominate Alas Pilipinas teams in pair of friendly matches

Two Japanese teams displayed their dominance over both women's and men's sides of Alas Pilipinas in the pair of friendly affairs arranged by Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) over the weekend.

Osaka Bluteon, a powerhouse club in Japan featuring several of their country's national team members, swept Alas Pilipinas Men on Sunday 25-17, 25-10, 25-21 at the PhilSports Arena.

That dominance succeeded in a hard-fought 29-27, 25-23, 25-12 win Osaka pulled off on Saturday, completing a two-game sweep of the Filipino spikers.

Starring in both games was renowned lefty opposite hitter Yuji Nishida as the Japan national team mainstay poured 15 points on Saturday then followed it with 12 markers the next day anchored on seven attacks, four aces, and one block.

In the women's side, the Alas Pilipinas Women gave multi-titled Japanese club Saga Hisamitsu Springs a scare, but dropped a close 14-25, 21-25, 19-25 loss on Sunday at the same venue.

21-year-old opposite spiker Mika Yoshitake blasted the Filipinas with 16 points off 14 attacks as they closed out the invitationals with two wins after also dominating the Filipinas on Saturday with a 25-19, 25-16, 25-16 triumph.

Despite the losses, national team coaches Angiolino Frigoni  and Jorge de Brito were elated by how their respective wards fared, especially as the country continues to prepare for the hosting of the FIVB Volleyball World Men’s Championship in September next year.

“It’s a very good experience. It was very very difficult but for us, it was a very good experience,” Frigoni said.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News