The Japanese men's volleyball team got off to a winning start by edging Argentina in the World Grand Champions Cup on Tuesday, while Cuba upended Olympic champion Yugoslavia, and Brazil beat South Korea in opening-day action.
Hiroyuki Kai scored a game-high 21 points and 20-year-old setter Yuta Abe orchestrated the attack in his international debut as Japan came back from one set down twice to beat the Sydney Olympic semifinalist 24-26, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 15-13 at Nagoya Rainbow Hall.
Earlier, Marshall Leonel had 17 points and Dennis Angel followed with 15 of his own as the Cubans outclassed Yugoslavia in a match between tournament favorites for a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 victory.
Defending champion Brazil also began its campaign on a bright note with a 25-21, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19 victory over Asian champion South Korea, thanks to 18 points from ace attacker Amaral Dante. The six-nation, round-robin tournament features continental champions and host Japan.