Fifi Sharma with VNL stars Torey DeFalco, Yūki Ishikawa and Kento Miyaura. –FIFI SHARMA INSTAGRAM
Akari Chargers’ Fifi Sharma channeled her inner fangirl as she rubbed elbows with the stars of fan-favorite teams Japan and Team USA at the end of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Manila on Sunday.
In a series of Instagram Stories, Sharma shared her photos with Japan’s Yūki Ishikawa and Kento Miyaura, and Team USA’s Taylor Averill, Torey DeFalco and Erik Shoji.
“Fangirled like crazy tonight, what a week of great volleyball! (and good looking men),” the Alas Pilipinas player said in the caption.
Sharma, though, saved the best for last and posted her photo with Japan star Ran Takahashi on her Instagram page, eliciting comments from fans and fellow players.
READ: VNL: Micah Christenson, USA grateful for fans’ support in loss
“hard launch @ran.volleyball0902,” Sharma playfully posted in the caption.
Japan and Team USA, who have gotten a hometown advantage in the Philippines throughout the weeklong event, battled in the last match of the VNL Week 3 and drew a sizeable crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.
With both teams fielding in their second units, the Japanese beat the Americans for the first time in the 25-20, 25-23, 25-19.
READ: VNL 2024: Japan beats USA for first time in Manila finale
Local players and fans alike had the opportunity to mingle with the visiting volleyball stars at the Fanzone area throughout the week.
VNL players have had nothing but good things to say for the Filipino fans and the country’s hosting of the tournament for the third time.
“Incredible. It was capped off with an incredible crowd, the last game up here in Manila so, wish we could’ve made it a little longer of a match, but at the same time it was good volleyball, it was really good volleyball out there on the court,” said American team captain Micah Christenson.
Earlier in the week, the women’s and men’s teams of Alas Pilipinas had a chance to meet with Team USA at Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.