VNL: Yuki Ishikawa, Japan embrace challenge from world’s best teams

Japan’s Yuki Ishikawa in the VNL Manila Leg game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—For the past few days in the Volleyball Nations League’s stint in Manila, several teams have set their sights on one particular squad: Japan.

Netherlands and Italy have made it clear that they want to test their luck against Ryujin Nippon and Yuki Ishikawa is more than taking notice.

Of course, the Dutch were unsuccessful in their bout against the Japanese squad after falling prey to a four-sett defeat at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

“Netherlands was strong and Italy is also a strong team so we’ll try to prepare well and now we are looking well so we have to play like we did today,” Ishikawa said after their 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 25-17 victory.

Earlier in the day, Italy defeated Slovenia with a gutsy effort.

Team Japan in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Soon after, Yuri Romano, who finished with 16 points in the win, acknowledged the impending challenge that is Japan.

“It (game) will be very difficult. One of the games is Japan and I think that’ll be the most difficult one,” said the opposite hitter.

With all eyes on Ryujin Nippon, Ishikawa expressed his excitement to test their mettle, this time, against Poland.

“I’m so excited to play them because they’re one of the best teams in the world so we’ll try,” said Ishikawa. “We’ll see.”

The Japanese, still undefeated after 10 games, will square off against Italy on Friday’s last game at 7 pm. 

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