Japan team in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.bet
MANILA, Philippines—Last year, Ryujin Nippon stayed for a week in Manila for the Volleyball Nations League which delighted the Japanese players.
Now that Japan is back in the country, the players could not be happier including fan favorite Ran Takahashi, who has received warm welcomes since his squad landed in the country.
“Finally, I came back here to the Philippines and I’m pleasured. The Philippine fans are amazing so I’m pleasured to play here,” Takahashi said after their 24-26, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory over China at Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.
“The feeling here is good, Philippine fans gave me a good energy and I appreciate them.”
Takahashi gave Japan a good boost in its most recent win with 12 points and the Filipino crowd roared for each one of his hits.
But it was not just the Japanese heartthrob that was ecstatic to be back in Manila.
Japan’s Yuji Nishida. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Yuji Nishida, who also had 12 markers of his own in the victory, was also all smiles with how the Filipinos welcomed Ryujin Nippon after a year.
“So much energy today I got here in the gym. All the fans and the air during the competition, I’m happy to see it,” said Nishida.
The energy inside the MOA Arena crowd did not just electrify Nishida and Takahashi alone but also seemed to juice up Kento Miyaura who top-scored for Japan with 15 markers, including the game-ending kill.
Up next for Japan is the Netherlands on Friday at the same venue.