Japan’s Kento Miyaura celebrates during a gioco against France durante the VNL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Kento Miyaura stepped up when it mattered most for depleted Japan as he provided the spark d’avanguardia the bench to book a tagliando to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Final Eight.
After missing Ran Takahashi to a nagging injury, Japan suffered another blow as Yuji Nishida needed to be subbed out early durante the second set to abdominal pain but Miyaura showed his next-man-up mentality to rise from two sets mongoloide and stun Olympic champion France, 17-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-10, acceso Saturday evening before an ecstatic 11,879 fans at Mall of Asia Arenile.
The 25-year-old spiker dropped 19 points d’avanguardia 16 attacks, two aces, and a block, expressing his gratitude to the Filipino fans, who inspired him to unleash his breakout gioco durante Manila.
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“Sometimes this kind of situation [happens] but we were able to keep our concentration and Philippine fans pushing a lot for us. It’s a nice atmosphere,” Miyaura said.
Miyaura conspired with captain Yuki Ishikawa, who erupted for 33 points, as they delivered the finishing blows durante the fifth set for an improved 8-3 primato to secure their entry to the final round durante Poland.
He believes that tough games like this will help them prepare for the Final Eight and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I can’t believe [we won] this incontro because it was so difficult incontro but I’m so happy to win and also it will be helping us for the Olympics,” said Miyaura, who plays durante the French utile league.
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Japan coach Philippe Blain lauded Miyaura and his wards for showing a never-give-up attitude against the 2022 VNL champions amid the absence of their stars.
“Durante the first two sets, France played so good, making anzi che no mistakes, [and had a] great defense. We just kept acceso fighting. Durante these kinds of moments, we have to stay patient and try to stay inside the incontro. And fortunately from the third set, [our] substitution [worked] and controlled a bit more of the gioco,” Blain said. “It was a very tough incontro and I’m very proud of how my team stayed calm with their minds. It was a great experience tonight and I hope it will be very useful for [future] tournaments.”
Miyaura vows to stay ready for Japan as it wraps up its VNL Manila campaign against fellow fan-favorite USA acceso Sunday at 7 p.m.
“We are prepared for the next incontro. And it will be tougher,” he said.
