Miri players attempting to block a smash by Sibu team captain Pang Sii Chuong. Miri went on to lose the game 0-3.
SIBU: It was a stroll in the park for favourites Sibu A team when they whitewashed Miri 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 24-15) in the Group A first round match of the Sarawak Open Volleyball Championship held at Rejang Park Volleyball Court here.
Title contenders Mukah and Meradong also secured maiden victories in their Group B matches.
Mukah beat Sibu B 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-9) while Meradong stamped their superiority over Bintulu 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-9).
In another Group A match, Kuching easily outwitted Limbang 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-15).
In the Sibu versus Miri match, there was little doubt that Sibu would sail through.
Powered by captain Pang Sii Chuong and former Sukma players like Chien Chin Huo, Goh Wei Fen and Jordan Tang, Sibu took the first three points before Miri drew level in the first game.
It was point for point until 8-8 before Miri suddenly went ahead 10-9.
This gave the Sibu players a wake-up call.
With the inspirational Pang guiding the team, Sibu surged back to take the lead again at 14-11.
From then on, it was all Sibu as they wrapped it up 25-22.
By the third game, the team could even rest Pang as they took the set easily 25-15.
Earlier, Kuching signalled their entrance in the tournament with a big bang as they upended Bintulu 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-15).
Kuching team, marshalled by captain Chai Wee Ming, had been a revelation of late and are determined to make an impact in the state-level tournament.
This is the first time Bintulu has sent a team to the championship.
In the Mukah versus Sibu B showdown, Mukah players displayed greater maturity and their tight defence gave Sibu B playeers little chance for penetration.
Mukah took the first game but Sibu came back strongly in the second game and had a slim lead at one stage.
But their poor finishing enabled Mukah to take the second game 26-24.
The third set was all Sibu as the home team coasted home 25-9.