Korea, Japan gain headway in quarterfinal

MANILA, Philippines - Korea and Japan sustained their unbeaten runs, pulling off a pair of straight-set victories at the start of the quarterfinal round of the 15th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday.

The Koreans smothered the Indonesians, 25-17, 25-15, 25-15, while the Japanese humbled the Australians, 26-24, 25-18, 25-19, enhancing their bids in the 18-nation event organized by the Philippine Volleyball Federation and sponsored by CNG Vehicles Corp. and Omnium Philippines.

With perfect points from their respective pools in the elimination round plus a triumphant start in the quarters, the Koreans and the Japanese are now close to making the crossover semifinal round of the event backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, Shakey’s, Pocari, Solar, Asics, Mikasa, Bayview Hotel, City Garde Hotel and Hyatt Hotel.

Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Australia are bracketed in Pool E in the quarters. Making up the other pool are Iran, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei and China.

The Koreans and the Japanese clash at 12 noon today in the same venue with the winners assuring themselves of entry into the Final Four.

In the consolation round over at the San Andres Gym, Myanmar outlasted Sri Lanka, 25-18, 21-25, 25-15, 22-27, 15-7, in a five-set duel while India made a short work of Qatar, 25-14, 25-22, 25-15.