Results, standings and schedule of the qualifying semifinals (Hanamaki)
March 16
Toray Arrows – Suntory Sunbirds 3:0 (25:14, 25:23, 27:25)
Top Scorer: D. Bojovic 20, Yuta Yoneyama 15, Andre Nascimento 23, Tatsuya Yoneyama 10
Panasonic Panthers – Sakai Blazers 2:3 (22:25, 21:25, 25:22, 25:22, 12:15)
Top Scorer: Shimizu 22, Thiago Alves 21, Fukuzawa 18; Ndaki – Mboulet 30, Matsumoto 18, Kitajima 17
Classification
1. Toray Arrows
2. Sakai Blazers
3. Panasonic Panthers
4. Suntory Sunbirds
March 17
Toray Arrows – Panasonic Panthers
Sakai Blazers – Suntory Sunbirds