PESHAWAR, Feb 16: Pakistan Army came from two sets down to win the 21st National Junior volleyball championship title, defeating Wapda in the final here at the PSB Coaching Centre on Friday.

The five-set battle lasted for 88 minutes. The Army, who were two sets down, staged a strong comeback by winning three consecutive sets to beat Wapda 3-2, the score being 14-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-17 and 25-17.

Wapda got an easy sailing in the first set, claiming it 25-14. The set was twice tied -- at 12-12 and 14-all, otherwise Wapda dominated it. It was in the second set in which the Army launched their comeback, though losing it 24-26.

However, they came back strongly by winning the third set 25-22 in a nail-biting finish. The strategy of Army by utilizing two pairs for the smashes really worked in beating Wapda blockers; as a result Army also got the fourth set 25-17 before taking the fifth set 25-17 to win the game and the title.

Meanwhile, in the playoff for the third position Pakistan Navy defeated Police 3-1, the score being 25-23, 25-18, 19-25 and 25-12. —APP