Asian volleyball: Korea stuns defending champ Australia

Korea served notice in its bid to win the 15th Asian Men's Senior Volleyball Championship crown by hacking out a 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, victory over defending champion Australia Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. A change of venue didn't affect the Korean's performance but seemed to ignite the fire in their power game especially after the Aussies tied the count after two sets. Spiker Kim Yo-han scored 27 points on 25 kills and two blocks while teammates Yun Bong-woo, Kang Dong-jin and Park Jun-bum added 13, 12 and 10 hits for the Koreans who won their third straight Group D match.

The Koreans were sharper on offense as they converted 62 points out of 130 attempts to nullify the 14-9 edge posted by Australia in blocks. Edgar Thomas and Adam White each had 17 hits for the defending champions who were hurt by their poor 46 conversion on 111 kills resulting to their first defeat after three straight wins. The Philippines hope to end its preliminary matches in Group A campaign on a winning note when they face Chinese-Taipei at 6 pm Thursday at the NAS. The Nationals, which was formed only last June and playing in their first international tournament, has dropped its first two games against Myanmar and Kazakhstan. A win will improve the RP spikers’ slim hopes of advancing in the quarterfinals. But more that advancing coach Sammy Acaylar is looking for a victory to further boost the morale of his young players. "We have been playing well despite losing our first two matches. We have learned a lot playing in this tournament especially since this team was formed only last June and is playing in an international competition for the first time. But despite these facts, the players are showing their big heart," said Acaylar. Dante Alinsunurin and Edjet Mabbayad, who have been the most consistent players for Team Philippines, will be again at the forefront of the Nationals’ offensive attack against Taiwan. "I'm confident we can give the Taiwanese team a good fight. Staying focus will be the key if we are to beat them," said Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) vice president Gener Dungo. – GMANews.TV