Tag: Japan

Geo Chiu to play for Japan B2 League team Ehime

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FILE–Geo Chiu.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Geo Chiu will continue his professional basketball career overseas.

After suiting up for the Taiwan Mustangs, who played against Gilas Pilipinas last week, Chiu is taking his act to the Japan B.League after signing a contract with the Ehime Orange Vikings.

Ehime, a B2 Division squad, announced the development on Sunday via a post on Instagram.

READ: Dave Ildefonso, Geo Chiu always ready to answer Gilas call-up

Chiu suited up for the Mustangs in May in the 2024 Asian Tournament, where the stocky big man posted six points and seven rebounds in an 83-78 win over the Zamboanga Valientes.

Before deciding to turn pro, the 6-foot-10 Chiu played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP.

In what turned out to be his final year with the Blue Eagles in Season 86, Chiu averaged 1.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Chiu will try to help the Orange Vikings improve from an abysmal 23-37 card in the B2 last season.



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Pacquiao gets new opponent for Japan exhibition fight

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Retired multiple world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao (R) of the Philippines speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo on June 10, 2024. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

Manny Pacquiao will now face a different fighter in his three-round exhibition match in Japan after the retired boxing great’s original opponent was ruled out by injury, organizers said Friday.

The 45-year-old multiple world champion from the Philippines was supposed to fight Chihiro Suzuki on July 28 in Saitama in a 68kg boxing bout of three rounds of three minutes each, with no judges’ decision.

But Suzuki was forced to withdraw after breaking his hand and will be replaced by fellow Japanese mixed martial artist Rukiya Anpo.

READ: Pacquiao set for July exhibition, in talks for title bout vs Barrios

Pacquiao said earlier this month that he was in negotiations to make a comeback to professional boxing after three years away.

He said he was in talks to face American Mario Barrios for a possible WBC welterweight world title later this year, but cautioned that it was still “far away”.

After hanging up his gloves, Pacquiao ran for the Philippines presidency but lost the May 2022 election by a huge margin.

He returned to the ring for an exhibition in Seoul in December 2022 against a South Korean YouTuber.



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Fifi Sharma ‘fangirls’ over Japan, USA stars as VNL wraps up

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Fifi Sharma with VNL stars Torey DeFalco, Yuki Ishiwa and Kento Miyaura. –FIFI SHARMA INSTAGRAM

Akari Chargers’ Fifi Sharma channeled her inner fangirl as she rubbed elbows with the stars of fan-favorite teams Japan and Team USA at the end of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Manila on Sunday.

In a series of Instagram Stories, Sharma shared her photos with Japan’s Yuki Ishiwa and Kento Miyaura, and Team USA’s Taylor Averill, Torey DeFalco and Erik Shoji.

“Fangirled like crazy tonight, what a week of great volleyball! (and good looking men),” the Alas Pilipinas player said in the caption.

Sharma, though, saved the best for last and posted her photo with Japan star Ran Takahashi on her Instagram page, eliciting comments from fans and fellow players.

READ: VNL: Micah Christenson, USA grateful for fans’ support in loss

“hard launch @ran.volleyball0902,” Sharma playfully posted in the caption.

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A post shared by Fifi Sharma (@mereophe)

Japan and Team USA, who have gotten a hometown advantage in the Philippines throughout the weeklong event, battled in the last match of the VNL Week 3 and drew a sizeable crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

With both teams fielding in their second units, the Japanese beat the Americans for the first time in the 25-20, 25-23, 25-19.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan beats USA for first time in Manila finale

Local players and fans alike had the opportunity to mingle with the visiting volleyball stars at the Fanzone area throughout the week.

VNL players have had nothing but good things to say for the Filipino fans and the country’s hosting of the tournament for the third time.



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“Incredible. It was capped off with an incredible crowd, the last game up here in Manila so, wish we could’ve made it a little longer of a match, but at the same time it was good volleyball, it was really good volleyball out there on the court,” said American team captain Micah Christenson.

Earlier in the week, the women’s and men’s teams of Alas Pilipinas had a chance to meet with Team USA  at Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.

Japan beats USA for first time in Manila finale

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Japan’s Kento Miyaura flexes his muscles during a game against USA in the VNL 2024 in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — With both teams fielding their bench in a much-anticipated final game in Manila, Japan got the better of USA, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19, to end the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 on a high note before an ecstatic 12,424 crowd on Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Japan coach Philippe Blain may have rested his starters led by captain Yuki Ishikawa and Yuji Nishida but Kento Miyaura sustained his fine play and powered the Japanese second unit for their first win against the Americans in their 19th meeting in the FIVB.

Miyaura, who was a revelation in their five-set comeback over France on Saturday, showed the way with 18 points including five aces to seal their entry to the Final Eight in Poland after finishing with a 9-3 record.

READ: VNL 2024: Kento Miyaura steps up for Takahashi-less Japan in crucial win

The Japanese willed their way back from a 13-17 deficit in the third set with Miyaura scoring four straight points, highlighted by three aces to give them a 24-19 lead before Kai Masato nailed the game-winning hit.

“Today I was the top scorer but sometimes we are in a difficult moment so I tried to find a solution. I had many mistakes in spiking but [I kept on trying] I’m happy to win this,” said Miyaura, who was coming off a 19-point effort in their five-set win over France less than 24 hours ago.

Trailing 22-23 in the second set, Japan fought back with Shoma Tomita nailing an off-the-block hit for the equalizer before Kyle Ensing put them at set point after an attack error. Miyaura drilled their third straight point to complete a comeback and take a 2-0 lead.

READ: VNL 2024: Yuki Ishikawa, Japan rally past Olympic champion France

Masato also turned heads with 16 points built on 12 spikes and four aces, while Taishi Onodera and Larry Ik Evbade-Dan delivered eight points each.

Miyaura thanked the Filipino fans for supporting them every game as the Japanese will bring home another precious memory in their third Manila stint before heading to the final round and the Paris Olympics next month.

“The Filipino fans are pushing us many times. Also, Filipino fans love volleyball. They are making a very nice atmosphere,” he said. 

“The last game was a very difficult game but we won the game so this experience [will help me] in the Olympics.”

After reaching the final last year and settling for a runner-up finish, USA didn’t make it to the Final Eight with a 5-7 record, splitting its four matches in its first Manila leg.



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Micah Christenson only played late in the third set, as American stars Matt Anderson, and TJ Defalco sat out with Taylor Averill and Erik Shoji being the remaining starters in the match.

Ensing led USA with 14 points, while Averill and Jordan Ewert added eight points before shifting their focus to the Olympic games in France.

Kento Miyaura steps up for Takahashi-less Japan in crucial win

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Japan’s Kento Miyaura celebrates during a game against France in the VNL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Kento Miyaura stepped up when it mattered most for depleted Japan as he provided the spark off the bench to book a ticket to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Final Eight.

After missing Ran Takahashi due to a nagging injury, Japan suffered another blow as Yuji Nishida needed to be subbed out early in the second set due to abdominal pain but Miyaura showed his next-man-up mentality to rise from two sets down and stun Olympic champion France, 17-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-10, on Saturday evening before an ecstatic 11,879 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.

The 25-year-old spiker dropped 19 points off 16 attacks, two aces, and a block, expressing his gratitude to the Filipino fans, who inspired him to unleash his breakout game in Manila.

READ: VNL 2024: Yuki Ishikawa, Japan rally past Olympic champion France

“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 in the fifth set for an improved 8-3 record to secure their entry to the final round in 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 match because it was so difficult match but I’m so happy to win and also it will be helping us for the Olympics,” said Miyaura, who plays in the French pro league.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan bounces back with sweep of Netherlands

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. 

“In the first two sets, France played so good, making no mistakes, [and had a] great defense. We just kept on fighting. In these kinds of moments, we have to stay patient and try to stay inside the match. And fortunately from the third set, [our] substitution [worked] and controlled a bit more of the game,” Blain said. “It was a very tough match 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 on Sunday at 7 p.m.

“We are prepared for the next match. And it will be tougher,” he said.



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VNL 2024: Yuki Ishikawa, Japan rally past Olympic champion France

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Japan team celebrates in the VNL 2024 Week 3 game against France. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Yuki Ishikawa took matters into his own hands to help depleted Japan complete an epic comeback-from-behind 17-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-10 win over Olympic champion France in the Volleyball Nations League on Saturday evening before a roaring crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

With Ran Takahashi flying home to Japan due to a nagging injury and Yuji Nishida sitting out after the second set due to abdomen pain, Ishikawa willed Japan back from two sets down, with 33 points off 31 spikes, one ace, and a block in front of 11,879 fans.

“First two sets, we were not working well. At the same time, we made too many mistakes, especially in our attacks. After the third set, we worked on our chemistry, our attack, and defense,” said the Japan skipper. “We have to push all the time. First and second sets we were a little bit nervous.”

READ: Japan’s Ran Takahashi leaves Manila to treat knee injury

“[33 points] is not important for me. What’s important is the team, so our teammates played very well, so I had to make the right plays,” he added.

Kento Miyaura, who came off the bench, also stepped up with 19 points built on 16 spikes, two aces, and a block as Japan improved to 8-3 in fifth place with one last assignment remaining against the USA on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Miyaura powered the Japanese to an early 10-5 start in the fifth set before Ishikawa delivered the killer blows to complete the comeback win against the 2022 VNL champions.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan bounces back with sweep of Netherlands

“It’s our last game in the Philippines, so we will do our best every time, and we will continue to play well,” said Ishikawa of USA. “It’s a really, really tough game for sure. United States plays fast, so our service needs to be well.”

Akihiro Yamauchi and Kentaro Takahashi added six points each as Japan won the second of its third assignment in their third consecutive VNL Manila leg.

France absorbed its second straight defeat in Manila, sliding to a 7-4 record in sixth place after a tough loss to the also-ran Iran.

Jean Patry led the balanced attack of the French Spikers with 21 points off 18 attacks, two aces, and a block. Trevor Clevenot backstopped him with 15 points, while Yacine Loati and Nicolas Le Goff had 11 and 10 points, respectively.



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France tries to end its skid against Brazil on Sunday at 3 p.m. 

VNL 2024: USA posts second straight win ahead of Japan clash

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USA’s Micah Christenson during the VNL in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — On the eve of their thrilling match against fellow fan-favorite Japan, Micah Christenson was pleased that Team USA has found its groove in Manila after staving off Germany, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23, in the VNL on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

It was another day at the office for Christenso, leading the Americans and dishing out 29 excellent sets while Matt Anderson and TJ Defalco combined for 43 points. The United States nothced its second straight win to improve to a 5-6 record tied with 10th seed Argentina. 

“It was great. I think we hung on. We cooled out a couple of close sets. It’s a good feeling to be able to win and still learn,” said the American setter, who also scored three points. “It’s easy to learn when you lose but I think we’re gonna go back from this game with the smile on our faces that we’re able to get it done even if it was a little bit ugly.”

READ: VNL 2024: With Final 8 chances slim, Team USA turns focus to Olympics

The Germans tried to force a decider, leading the fourth set with a 23-22 advantage after Lukas Maase’s quick attack. Anderson tied it at 23-all with a kill before back-to-back winning blocks by Defalco and Jeffrey Jendryk.

Despite the great responsibility of leading the Olympic-bound USA, the American skipper isn’t afraid of taking risks and embracing great challenges.

“I feel like that pressure is created by yourself at some point as well you can create pressure. For me, I’m a Christian I believe in God and I know I get a lot of freedom from my faith in God,” Christenson said. “When I’m out there I feel free to make different decisions and take a little bit of risks because I know where my identity lies and that love is always gonna be there.”

READ: VNL 2024: USA star Taylor Averill wants to come back, explore PH

Anderson led the Americans with 23 points off 20 kills and three aces. Defalco delivered 20 points, while middle blockers Jendryk and David Smith had four blocks each to finish with 10 and nine points, respectively.

Christenson hopes to save the best for last in front of their Filipino fans as USA ends its maiden Manila stint against Japan on Sunday at 7 p.m.

“Just try to get a little bit better than today. We were starting to get on this road where we’re taking steps in the right direction and we’re gonna just try to take another step in the right direction tomorrow and enjoy also the moment, I’m assuming when I was told it’s a full stadium here,” he said.
“Hopefully, we get a little bit of support I know Japan is very popular but we’re gonna try to do our best for everybody.”

Germany dropped to a 4-7 record before facing Iran on Sunday. Gyorgy Grozer led the Germans’ gallant stand with 16 points. Maase and Tobias Krick scored 12 points, while Moritz Reichert added 10.



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Japan bounces back with sweep of Netherlands

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Japan’s Yuji Nishida in a VNL 2024 Week 3 game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Yuji Nishida and Yuki Ishikawa brought Japan back to its winning ways torching the Netherlands, 25-18, 25-19, 25-20, in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 on Friday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.

After losing to Canada in the Manila leg opener and missing Ran Takahashi, who was ruled out of the crucial week, Nishida stepped up when it mattered most with 16 points.

He led the Japanese’s comeback in the third set, where they trailed the Netherlands, 6-10.

READ: Japan star Ran Takahashi out for remainder of VNL 2024

“It’s very important, this win. Last game, the Japanese team lost and that’s on me. The mentality was down, but we tried to push the mentality, the passion, the important things this game,” said Nishida, who finished with 10 kills, three aces, and three blocks.

“I’m happy. It’s a very good win. Now, we have the next two matches and it’s very important to win. Now, there’s no recovery [time].”

The Japanese found their groove in the third set with Nishida’s back-to-back aces and massive back row kill put them ahead 16-12 and never looked back to improve their record to 7-3 in sixth place.

Nishida scored 10 points in the final set as Japan seeks to solidify its spot in the Final Eight when it wraps up its third consecutive stint in Manila against France on Saturday before battling the USA on Sunday at 7 p.m.

READ: VNL 2024: Ran Takahashi, Japan seek improvement after loss to Canada

Ishikawa backstopped Nishida with 15 points off 12 kills, two aces, and a block, while Tatsunori Otsuka stepped up with eight points to fill in the void left by Takahashi.

“We have to think of our volleyball always even if he isn’t here. Today was an important match for us because we lost against Canada. And we should focus on our [team]. We won 3-0, so it’s important for us,” he said.

Japan's Kentaro Takahashi and Yuji Nishida

Japan’s Kentaro Takahashi and Yuji Nishida. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The hard-hitting Japanese pair also accommodated their fans–majority of them went to the fan zone even before the game started.

“It’s so incredible. I gave in to the energy so I’m so happy. Every fan is good today, so thank you so much,” Ishikawa said. 

“I’m so happy because the crowd is always full, and cheers a lot, so it’s amazing to [play] out here,” added Nishida.

Nimir Abdel-Aziz, who scored 38 and 37 points in the first two games, was limited to just seven points, as Maarten Van Garderen was the lone bright spot with 10 points.

The Netherlands slid to 13th place with a 3-8 record, hoping to end its Manila stint against Canada on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Japan star Ran Takahashi out for remainder of VNL 2024

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Japan’s Ran Takahashi during a VNL 2024 game in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

MANILA, Philippines — Japan men’s national volleyball team has ruled out Ran Takahashi for the remainder of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg.

The Japan Volleyball Association (JVA) on Friday announced that Takahashi will be replaced by Shoma Tomita in the lineup hours before Japan’s game against the Netherlands.

“We are pleased to announce that there have been changes to the players competing on the Japanese men’s national team for the Philippines tournament in the third week of the Volleyball Nations League 2024,” the federation wrote. “Tomita will be available to play from the match against the Netherlands.”

READ: VNL 2024: Ran Takahashi, Japan seek improvement after loss to Canada

The JVA, though, didn’t disclose the reason but a Filipino fan wasreported to have seen Takahashi at the airport.

Takahashi delivered 13 points in their 25-21, 20-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10, dropping to a 6-3 record still in sixth place.

The Japanese star has been one of the crowd favorites in Japan’s third straight year to play in Manila.

Takahashi suffered from injuries in the previous VNL Manila leg last year where he also missed their games.

Japan, which holds a 6-3 record, seeks to solidify its Final Eight chances against the Netherlands.



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Takahashi, Japan seek improvement after loss to Canada

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Japan during the VNL in Manila against Canada.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Ran Takahashi and Yuji Nishida vowed to bounce back after fan favorite Japan fell short against Canada in five sets in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 opener on Tuesday evening at Mall of Asia Arena. 

Energized by the roaring Philippine crowd, Japan fought back from a 1-2 match deficit but still yielded to Canada, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10, dropping to a 6-3 record still in sixth place.

Takahashi, who had 13 points to backstop team captain Yuki Ishikawa and Yuji Nishida, admitted they committed a lot of lapses.

READ: VNL 2024: Canada denies fan favorite Japan in five sets

“We have to improve our reception [and] we have our eyes on a solution. Canada has a really nice and higher block. I think we can do much better. We have our eyes on a solution but we have to improve our reception,” Takahashi told reporters.

After a bronze medal in last year’s VNL, Takahashi believes that the Japanese need to work on their chemistry as they seek to return to the Final Eight, which takes place in Poland.

“We joined immediately after three weeks [since the VNL] started. We had just one week or two weeks of practice. I think we are not perfect. Maybe we need more practice and we need more communication with each player. Then we have to create more [opportunities] for the team,” said the fan favorite, who is playing in his third VNL Manila stint.

READ: ‘Great expectations’ ahead for Japan in VNL Manila leg

Nishida, who led the way with 19 points, expressed his “major” respect for Canada, which he believed played at a high level to tighten its grip on seventh place with a 5-4 record. 

“Every single play is important. I think today was not our kind of game. Many times we didn’t have good plays. Kudos to Canada,” Nishida said. “I’m looking for more combinations and try not to make more mistakes and a little bit more [improvement] on the communication. They are points that I can [improve on] next game. Most importantly, on the communication, obviously on the passion.”

The Japanese, though, still accommodated the Filipino fans at the fan zone as they’ve been the most loved squad since the country started hosting the VNL in 2022.

Japan has two days of rest before seeking to regain its winning ways against the Netherlands on Friday.



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