Manama, Bahrain, May 20, 2023 – Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi bounced back from dismal start to stun Qatar’s unbeaten Police Sports Team in thrilling four-setter 11-25, 29-27, 25-23, 25-23 to power their way into the Sunday’s showdown against Suntory Sunbirds at the 2023 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship at Isa Bin Rashid Hall 1 on Saturday.
Daudi Okello chipped in with 24 points for Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, all from attacks. Efe Bayram led Police Sports Team with 18 points including 17 attacks from 32 attempts.
Against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi in the do-or-die semifinals, Police Sports Team, spearheaded by powerful Nabel Abunabot Belal, made a solid start and caught fire shortly after that. With Efe Bayram, and Oliver Venno attacking spectacularly at both wings, Qatar’s Police Sports Team clinched the totally one-sided first set 25-11.
As the Qataris became riddled with several unforced attacking mistakes in the second set, Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi grabbed the chance to counter-attack aggressively and block well to advance to 22-20 and went on that fine form to win the hard-fought set 29-27.
Winning the second set, Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi came back to the competition court with more confidence and fewer mistakes in the next two sets.
Both teams pleased audiences inside the venue with their exceptional tactics and good teamwork. However, despite putting up a strong fightback to close the margin 20-20, Police Sports Team found the rivals unstoppable and even the substitutions could not turn the tide for them. Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi went on their consistent play to win final crucial points to capture the hard-fought third and fourth sets with the same margin 25-23, 25-23, match and a final berth.
With this defeat shock, Police Sports Team will fight for bronze medal against Shahdab Yazd, the team they had beaten 3-2 in the quarterfinals Pool F clash, while Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi became the Indonesia’s first team ever to advance to the final of this top-tier championship. The Indonesian outfits will challenge Suntory Sunbirds, the team they had lost earlier in the quarterfinal Pool E, in the Sunday’s showdown.
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