BRYAN Bagunas has finally made his long-awaited debut for Osaka Bluteon in the Japan SV.League.
Bagunas checked in for limited stretches in Sets 2 and 4 of Osaka’s 25-18, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18 win over the Nippon Steel Sakai Blazers on Sunday at the Wakayama Big Whale, one where he waited nine games before earning his first minutes with his new squad in Japan’s top flight.
PHOTO: Osaka Bluteon
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
It was only the sixth time in 10 matches that he was included in Bluteon’s match-day roster.
His lone attack try came at 23-16 in the fourth set after replacing Cuban national team skipper Miguel Lopez, a crosscourt attempt that clipped the top of the net and went out.
He also recorded a service error later in the frame.
Still, Bagunas’ first taste of action for the powerhouse Osaka side ended in victory.
Leading the way were Japan internationals Yuji Nishida and Tomita Shoma, who fired 13 points apiece. Nishida’s line included 10 attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
PHOTO: Osaka Bluteon
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
Across the net, Sakai leaned on rising Italian scorer Tommaso Rinaldi, who unloaded 16 attack points, while American veteran crowd favorite Matt Anderson added 11.
Bagunas and Bluteon remain at the top of the 10-team field with a joint league-best 9–1 record, sharing the lead with Ran Takahashi’s Suntory Sunbirds, the only team to defeat Osaka this season.
Osaka has since racked up eight straight wins following that lone loss.
His services will be needed back home in a few weeks as Alas Pilipinas begins its medal bid in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand next month.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
AloJapan.com