After losing their first game in the 2024 VNL Manila Leg, Japan secured their next three matches to jump to world no. 2 in the FIVB world rankings.
Japan made sure to give Filipino fans a proper farewell in the Manila Leg of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) after sweeping Team USA, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, June 23.
It wasn’t the usual lineup for Ryujin Nippon as head coach Philippe Blain decided to sit out superstars Yuji Nishida and Yuki Ishikawa. Prior to this, Ran Takahashi was also ruled out of the leg after suffering a knee injury.
Nonetheless, Japan got its scoring from Miyaura Kento and Masato Kai, who combined for 34 points in the win.
[ALSO READ: VNL: Kento Miyaura, Japan make history after beating Team USA for the first time after 19 FIVB head-to-head games]
The victory proved significant, as Ryujin Nippon beat the United States for the first time after 19 head-to-head matches in FIVB-sanctioned games. As a cherry on top, Japan also took over as the new world no. 2 with 354.75 points, just above Slovenia and Italy.
After the match, outside hitter Tatsunori Otsuka admitted getting their groove back after a rather deflating loss to Canada in their opening match in Manila.
“We played good today. In our first match against Canada, we lost [and] we lost our confidence, but [in our next matches] against Netherlands, France, [and] USA, we get our confidence back,” said Otsuka, who contributed two points in the match vs. Team USA.
“[We have] good passion and aggressive energy. We played [a] good match,” he added.
Despite not having their usual stars, Otsuka and the team made sure to show some love to the 12,424-strong crowd who cheered loudly for Japan at the MOA Arena.
[Related: Kento Miyaura says Filipino fans gave Team Japan extra boost in Manila Leg of VNL 2024]
“The Filipino fans pushed our team with their loud voices,” said Otsuka.
Japan will now prepare for the VNL Finals, which will begin next week from June 27-30, and the Olympic Games Paris 2024 next month.