MANILA – Marck Espejo had a solid outing as FC Tokyo cruised to a 25-21, 25-16, 24-26, 25-17 victory over Hiroshima JT Thunders in the 2021-2022 Japan V.League Division 1 men’s tournament over the weekend at the Sumida City Gymnasium.
The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle spearheaded the FC Tokyo offense with 16 points, on 11 attacks, three blocks and two service aces, to be hailed as the best player of the game.
Jonas Kvalen also made his presence felt with 16 points while Hayata Yanagimachi tallied 15 points.
FC Tokyo rose to 3-7 by winning three of their last four games. The victory also served as a bounce back for Espejo and the FC Tokyo after tasting a 27-25, 25-15, 26-28, 25-20 defeat in the hands of JT Thunders in their first encounter on Friday night last week.
In the rematch, Espejo and FC Tokyo were scorching with their attacks in the opening set to clinch it via 25-21 score. They continued the avalanche in the second frame at 25-16.
Hiroshima, on the other hand, showed some life in the third set, which they won, 24-26, before FC Tokyo went for the kill early in the fourth frame en route to a 25-20 domination.
Taishi Onodera was the lone bright spot for the JT Thunders with 14 points. They dropped to a 3-7 win-loss record with the stinging defeat.
Espejo and his FC Tokyo squad will have off in the upcoming weekend. They return to action on Nov. 27 against Toray at 2 p.m. at Konohana Arena.
Meanwhile, Filipina volleybelle Alyja Daphne “Jaja” Santiago and the Saitama Ageo Medics and Filipino spiker Bryan Bagunas of Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler took a break last weekend and will resume this Saturday and Sunday./PN
