Japanese guest team University of Tsukuba flexed its muscles and made quick work of Team Sparkle, 25-8, 25-12, 25-20, in the PSL Super Cup Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The reigning All-Japan Inter-Collegiate Volleyball champions asserted their dominance and displayed their quickness throughout the game. They secured lopsided wins in the first two sets before overcoming a close battle in the third period to seal the sweep.
Marina Takahashi led the attack with 16 points built on 10 spikes, five blocks, and an ace. Team captain Miho Yokota orchestrated the offense and finished with 14 excellent sets.
"We are lucky. Today is [our] first day and I think the Team Sparkle are good but [they] don't have enough combination so we are lucky today," said Japanese coach Yasumi Nakanishi.
Team Sparkle got off to a rousing start in Set 3, taking an early 7-4 lead before the Japanese spikers forced a 13-all deadlock. The visiting team looked to break away with a 4-0 run but Team Sparkle countered with three straight points to keep it close.
The Japanese kept their composure down the stretch to deny Team Sparkle's comeback efforts and ensure a straight-sets win.
"The first set is our regular members and in the second and third sets is our bench members. In this tournament, all the members are going to help," said Nakanishi on his team's hot start.
Mina Aganon topped for Team Sparkle with six points all from spikes, while Grethcel Soltones added four points and eight excellent receptions.
Dimdim Pacres, who scored two points and provided the much-needed energy in the third set, impressed the Japanese coach.
"[She has a] very good volleyball sense. Not very good in physical but she has net play and ball control," Nakanishi said about Pacres.
The University of Tsukuba will face Team Shine on Thursday and the Philippine women's volleyball team on Friday.