Athletics settle for silver after Aleeza Aichi sweep in Formosa final

Strong Group Athletics settled for the silver medal after falling to Japan’s Aleeza Aichi in straight sets, 17-25, 19-25, 15-25, in the championship match of the 2026 Formosa Women’s Volleyball Invitational Tournament on Sunday night at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Chinese Taipei.

The Philippine club remained competitive through the opening two sets but struggled to keep pace in the third frame as Aleeza Aichi pulled away to complete the sweep and claim the tournament title.

After taking a two-set advantage, the Japanese side quickly seized control in the deciding set, building a 19-12 lead that put Strong Group in a difficult position.

Ces Molina and Trisha Tubu attempted to revive the Filipinas with a 4-1 run that trimmed the deficit, but Aleeza Aichi responded with five straight points to close out the match and secure the championship.

Strong Group reached the final after bouncing back from an opening four-set defeat to Thailand’s Supreme Tip Chonburi-E.Tech with a crucial victory over host club Earthpower EPV.

That win created a three-way tie at 1-1 in the standings, with the Filipinas advancing to the title match through the best set ratio among the tied teams.

Aleeza Aichi, however, showed why it entered the tournament as the favorite.

The Japanese squad broke away in the opening set after turning a close 13-11 advantage into a 19-13 cushion behind a 6-2 run capped by Ayana Funane’s cross-court attack.

Strong Group trimmed the deficit to 22-17, but Mio Kitagawa, Shiori Mitome, and Aimi Nakada scored the final three points to secure the frame.

The Filipinas delivered a stronger challenge in the second set, staying within one point at 19-18 following a Riza Nogales attack.

Aleeza Aichi again found another gear late, with Mitome, Kitagawa, and Shiori Yamauchi leading a 6-1 finishing surge to take the set, 25-19, before completing the sweep in the third.

Despite missing out on the championship, Strong Group finished its international campaign with a silver medal after overcoming an early setback and reaching the tournament final.