V.League: Bagunas returns in Oita loss, Espejo sits out anew for FC Tokyo
Bryan Bagunas for Oita Miyoshi. Photo from Bryan Bagunas’ Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Bryan Bagunas returned to action while Marck Espejo sat out for the second straight game as their teams dropped their respective Japan V.League matches on Sunday.
Bagunas came back with 17 points but Oita Miyoshi got swept by Panasonic, 16-25, 22-25, 16-25, at Cycle Shop Kodama Osu Arena.
Article continues after this advertisementThe National University standout, who didn’t play on Saturday’s three-set loss, played efficiently hitting 16-of-30 on attacks and nailed a block only for the Weisse Adler to absorb their 10th straight loss and fall to 5-27 record.
Tatsunori Otsuka led the Panthers’ balanced attack with 16 points off 13 kills, two aces, and a block. Polish import Michal chimed in with 13 markers, while Kunihiro Shimizu and Akihiro Yamauchi added 10 each as Panasonic improved to 22-10 in the third place.
Meanwhile, Espejo sat out anew as FC Tokyo yielded to the hapless VC Nagano, 21-25, 25-21, 22-25, 19-25, at Swan Dome.
Article continues after this advertisementRivan Nurmulki delivered 26 points to lead Nagano’s bounce back from Saturday’s four-set loss.
Kenshi Morisaki also powered the Tridents with 19 points, while Kota Ikeda delivered 16 markers to end a 16-game skid with their second win in 32 games.
Yuma Nagatomo led Tokyo with 18 points. Norwegian spiker Jonas Kvalen added 11 markers as his team dropped to 9-22 still in the eighth place.
Bagunas and Oita Miyoshi battle Nagano next weekend at Shiojiri City Gymnasium while Espejo and Tokyo take on Panasonic at Machida City Gymnasium next Saturday.
