Panasonic sent FC Tokyo reeling to its third-straight defeat, 25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 25-17, in the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 men’s tournament at the Panasonic Arena, Sunday.
Marck Espejo performed better than yesterday, tallying 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks. Still, things resulted in a loss.
FC Tokyo failed to capitalize on their momentum after winning the second period to equalize the match at one set apiece, 25-22.
The Panthers just straight out dominated in the third and fourth frames, not allowing Tokyo any type of a comeback.
Kunihiro Shimizu stepped up big for Panasonic with 29 points built on 23 spikes, three blocks, and three aces.
Michał Kubiak did not have to do much, getting just 10 points while Kenyu Nakamoto had 11 points.
The Panthers rose to 10-6 for fourth place and just three points away from third-ranked Suntory.
Yuma Nagatomo led Tokyo with 18 points. Meanwhile, Jonas Kvalen made the same tally as Espejo with 13 points.
FC Tokyo slid to 4-12, still at eighth but four games behind seventh-place JTEKT at 8-8.
Espejo and his squad look to stop their three-game slide back home on Saturday when they face the struggling VC Nagano at the Sumida City Gymnasium at 1 pm.
