Japan, Indonesia remain unbeaten in Asia Pacific Cup volleyball

Japan, Indonesia remain unbeaten in Asia Pacific Cup volleyball JP/11/Brief

Japan, Indonesia remain unbeaten

FUKUOKA, Japan: Defending champion Japan brushed aside Thailand for a fourth straight win to remain unbeaten along with Indonesia in the Asia Pacific Cup men's volleyball tournament on Saturday.

Japan's second-string national squad powered their way through to a straightforward 25-22, 25-13, 25-21 win and now will take on Indonesia in the final day Sunday.

Indonesia breezed past Malaysia 25-22, 25-18, 25-14 earlier in the day, while Vietnam posted its first win beating the Philippines 25-19, 25-18, 25-16.

Thailand stood with a 2-2 win-loss record, followed by the Philippines and Vietnam with 1-3 and winless Malaysia at the bottom. --AFP

;AFP; ANPAs..r.. Putbriefs-Auto-Prix-USA 2ndlead Barrichello puts early Ferrari stamp on US Grand Prix JP/11/Brief

Barrichello clocks fastest time

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: Ferrari threw down the gauntlet for Sunday's US Grand Prix as Rubens Barrichello eclipsed teammate Michael Schumacher to clock the top practice time at the famed Brickyard circuit.

The Brazilian, who grabbed victory here two years ago, was overjoyed at a "near perfect start to the weekend" after gunning round the 4.192 mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway Friday in 1min 10.365sec.

But unheralded BAR test-driver Anthony Davidson almost crashed the party, turning in an eye-catching effort to finish just six- tenths back in an incident-packed session, which saw several drivers spin off a dusty track.

Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya cruised in third in his Williams on 1:10.982, clearly relishing his return to the fabled track on which he captured the Indianapolis 500 in 2000. --AFP

;AFP; ANPAs..r.. Putbriefs-Golf-EPGA-FRA Leader Suneson feels reborn in France JP/11/Brief

Suneson feels reborn in France

ST. OMER, France: Spain's Carl Suneson, who took the whole of last year off to rebuild his game and confidence, saw his hard work rewarded on Friday when he took a one-shot lead after the second round of the St. Omer Open.

The 36-year-old hit a second round 67 that took him to five under par 137 and left him one shot clear of Irishman Stephen Browne, who hit a 69, overnight leader Kyron Sullivan of Wales, 72, and Scotlands Murray Urquhart, 68.

Suneson carded five birdies and just one bogey and admitted that the work he had done at the Leadbetter Academy in Florida last year was paying off.--AFP

;AFP; ANPAs..r.. Putbriefs-Athletics-USA-doping Athletes eager to see Jones's situation resolved JP/11/Brief

Athletes eager to see Jones's plight fixed

EUGENE, Oregon: Marion Jones isn't the only athlete who would like to see her stand-off with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency come to an end.

The U.S. sprint star, angry that her triple Olympic gold reputation has been tarnished by her alleged links to the now infamous BALCO laboratory of Victor Conte, this week went on the offensive as she demanded public hearings that she says will clear her of suspicions of using performance enhancing drugs.

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency director of legal affairs Travis Tygart called Jones's criticism of the agency "baseless" and denied the agency's process compromised athletes's rights.

"Personally, I think they should do something and get it over with so our sport can move on from this," former 100m world record-holder Maurice Greene said Friday at a press conference prior to Saturday's Prefontaine Classic grand prix meeting. , June 18 --AFP

;AFP; ANPAs..r.. Putbriefs-Golf-USLPGA lead Sergas, Killeen share LPGA lead JP/11/Brief

Sergas, Killeen share LPGA lead

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, New Jersey: American Denise Killeen and Giulia Sergas of Italy took different routes to the top of the leaderboard on Friday at the Marriott Seaview Resort.

Killeen and Sergas shot six-under-par 65s and share the lead after the first round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Killeen, 42, had an eagle and four birdies during a bogey-free trip around the 6,051-yard course outside Atlantic City.

"There's two more days left," she said. "My game plan will be the same. I had a game plan of 18 birdies for the week. I want to go out tomorrow and make as many as I can and go with that." , AFP