Yuki Ishikawa and Ryujin Nippon pulled off a reversal, overcoming France to pick up their second consecutive victory in the Manila leg of the 2024 VNL.
Japan staged an epic comeback from two sets down, frustrating reigning Olympic champion France in a cardiac affair, 17-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-10, in the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, June 22.
Despite the absence of Ran Takahashi, who left the country yesterday due to a nagging knee injury, Ryujin Nippon pulled out all the stops and heavily leaned on superstar captain Yuki Ishikawa.
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Yuki Ishikawa and the rest of the Ryujin Nippon celebrate. | Photo (c) RM Chua
Ishikawa was a man on a mission, pouring out 33 points built on 31 attacks, a block, and an ace.in the thrilling escape that elevated their record to 8-3 for fifth place.
Staring down a two-set deficit, the Japanese played with renewed vigor in the third frame, where they mounted a 21-15 cushion. Ishikawa and Kento Miyaura then led a set-clinching 4-1 spurt.
A wild swing of momentum occurred in the fourth frame, where both teams engaged in deadlock after deadlock leading up to a 23-all tie.
However, the scales tipped in favor of Japan after Miyaura pummeled a crucial blow before Trévor Clévenot's equalizer sailed wide.
Come the fifth set, Ryujin Nippon created crucial breathing room, building a 13-9 edge. Ishikawa then nailed the finishing touches.
Miyaura also shouldered the offensive load with 19 points for Japan, picking up the slack for Yuji Nishida, who only had spot minutes in the first and second frames due to abdominal pain.
On the other hand, the Frenchmen could not sustain their momentum from a win over Iran, falling to a 7-4 record in sixth place.
Jean Patry paced the losing side with 21 points, while Clévenot had 15 markers.
Both teams aim to finish their respective preliminary round campaign on a high note, as Japan faces the United States while France takes on Brazil.
Japan's Yuki Ishikawa tries to pierce France's net defense. | Photo (c) RM Chua
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Matches will be held on Sunday, June 23, at the same venue.