The Philippine women's volleyball team put up a good fight in the third frame but Japan still completed a dominant straight-sets victory, 25-12, 25-15, 25-21, in the 2018 Asian Games Tuesday in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Philippines remained winless after two games in Pool A, while Japan took the top spot with a clean 2-0 record.
Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat led the way for the Philippines, finishing with seven points apiece. Alyssa Valdez contributed five markers all from spikes, while Majoy Baron finished with three kills and a block.
After getting clobbered in the first two sets, the Filipinos came alive in the third period. They rallied back from a 4-0 deficit to force a deadlock at 6-all. The Japanese tried to pull away again but the Philippine team persisted. Santiago-Manabat scored off a smash and a block to knot it up again at 12.
Japan reclaimed the edge but great team effort allowed the Philippines to stay within striking distance. A successful hit from Santiago made it a one-point ballgame, 17-18, before the Japanese launched a 6-2 blitz to reach match point.
Miya Sato committed a service error then Manabat connected on an attack to leave a window open for the Philippines, but Erika Shinomiya was there to finish it off for Japan.
Miyu Nagaoka topped with 11 points built on nine kills and two aces, while Nana Iwasaka chipped in with six markers in the win.
The Philippines will look to recover from back-to-back losses when it faces Hong Kong on Thursday afternoon.