i did not watch DOM x JPN but it's not surprise that DOM has trouble with teams like JPN. they get very frustrated when they keep pounding the ball away and yet it keeps coming back. at the WCh 2014, when DOM finished in the final 6 (the highest result ever for them), they still lost to JPN 3-2 in the last match of pool play in the 2nd round. the result was meaningless because JPN was already eliminated and DOM already advanced to the finals, but i remember how sakoda keep flying from the backrow and pounding away, and DOM block and defense could never find her...
i think DOM really misses dela cruz, pri rivera and castillo, they really provided the glue that kept the team cohesive and together... certainly when they can't pass the ball, their whole system collapses.
De La Cruz and Castillo are certainly missed. Especially Castillo (where has she been playing?). But Rivera not all. Her prime has already passed long time ago. Have you watched her playing lately? She cannot even run for a ball. With all the due respect, she doesnt have the body of an high level athlete.
Those 3 players were in the last Grand Prix. Eventhough, DOM finished on the bottom