JAPAN stayed perfect but not without facing a heavy challenge from China, 24-26, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12, in the men’s Volleyball Nations League Week 3 Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Yuki Ishikawa stamped his class with 19 points on 16 hits, two blocks and an ace as the Japanese recovered from a 1-2 deficit including a massive meltdown in the first set to extend its unbeaten run to nine matches.
Italy pulled off a reverse sweep against rival Brazil, 23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-21, earlier on Wednesday to shore up its playoff hopes in the crucial Week 3 of the tournament.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, meanwhile, provided one of the opening day highlights by making the ceremonial first serve alongside Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara, Malacanang Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto Robiano, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and Volley World CEO Finn Taylo.
Kento Miyaura and Yuji Nishida had 15 and 12 points respectively as Ran Takahashi converted four aces for 14 points in the balanced attack of crowd favorite Japan, who enjoyed massive support from the Filipino fans.
Japan’s win created an elbow room from second-running Team USA, at 7-1, entering the homestretch of the VNL organized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the Volleyball World with Ganten, Gerflor, Mikasa, Mizuno, Senoh and Stake.com as global sponsors.
“I’m so happy to play here again. The fans support us all the time. I’m happy,” said Ishikawa, Japan’s team captain.
Japan, banking on eight straight wins including a gentleman’s sweep of reigning champion France last month in Nagoya, started like a house on fire and appeared headed to an easy win with a quick 14-7 lead in the opening salvo.
The crowd darling maintained momentum and even held a 24-18 upperhand for a set point only to cool down and succumb to China’s blistering 8-0 closeout for its 26-24 escape act.
Japan, as expected, swung back in the second frame with a narrow 25-23 win of its own before both teams traded heymakers in the next two sets to pave the way for a fiery rubber set.
There was no denying the Japanese from there on, uncorking a game-changing 7-2 blow punctuated by Takahashi’s ace to flip a 3-4 deficit to a comfortable 10-6 cushion.
China tried to mount a comeback at 12-14 following a Jinyin Zhang’s attack but his service error in the ensuing pension sealed the deal for Japan.
Zhang, with 21 points, led the way as Yuantai Yu and Yongzhen Li banged in 17 and 16 points, respectively, in a foiled upset bid for China, which fell to 2-7 at 12th spot. Japan will shoot for 10-0 against the Netherlands on Friday as China battles Slovenia on Thursday in the Philippine leg of the VNL that also has PLDT, Rebisco, Akari and the PSC as major sponsors with support from Fitbar, Instax Fujifilm, Fitness First, Pasay City, Taguig City, Diamond Hotel, Maynilad, Peugeot, SM MOA Arena, The Look and The Moment Group with Cignal, Inquirer Group, RMN, DOOH, One Sports, One Sports+ and Mega Mobile as media partners.