Japanese pair unbeatable on sand

MANILA, Philippines – Ayumi Kusano and Akiko Hasegawa of Japan were unbeatable from start to finish, crushing Sweden, 21-19, 21-12, last night to rule the Spike for Peace International beach volley tournament at the Philsports Arena.

Kusano, a veteran beach volley player, and Hasegawa, one of the top indoor players back home, showed better teamwork and greater agility to rule the event and pocket the top prize of $8,000.

The first set was tough unlike the second where the Japanese raced to a 5-0 lead and moved comfortably ahead at 15-5. Hasegawa’s spike signaled the end of the match.

Anne-Lie Rininsland and Karin Lundqvist, at 6-foot-3 the tallest player in the field, had no answer to the Japanese pair’s all-around game and settled for runner-up worth $5,000.

Japan won all its matches here, beating Brazil, Philippines Team B and Sweden in the elims, and then Indonesia in the semis.

“We’re very happy. We just tried to avoid the tall player,” said Hasegawa.

Indonesia, the tournament’s giant-killer, posted a thrilling 21-16, 19-21, 15-8 win over Brazil and wound up third in the event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Juliana Dhita and Dini Putu, who showed a penchant for beating players taller than them, won the last seven points of the match to seal the win worth $4,000.

The Brazilians will go home with $3,000.

Sweden, the third seed, made it to the finals by beating Brazil, 19-21, 21-19, 15-8 while Japan advanced with a 21-14, 18-21, 15-12 over Indonesia.