League-leading Sakai handed Oita Miyoshi another rough outing with a 25-21, 25-22, 25-19 win in the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 men’s tournament, Sunday at the Kurume Arena in Fukuoka.
Bryan Bagunas saw himself checked anew, limited to just eight points on five hits and three blocks. He just went 5-of-24 in his attacks.
Yuki Higuchi spearheaded the Blazers with 16 points on 13 spikes and three blocks.
Sharone Vernon-Evans and Naoya Takano also chimed in 10 points apiece in the victory.
Sakai forged a three-way tie with Toray and Suntory for the top spot with identical 15-5 win-loss records.
Kota Yamada topscored for Oita Miyoshi with 13 points split into 10 attacks, two service aces, and a block. Meanwhile, Venezuelan import Emerson Rodriguez had 11 points.
The Weisse Adler slipped to their third straight loss for 4-16.
Oita Miyoshi aims to end its slump at home when it meets Nagoya on Saturday at 1:00 PM at the Cycle Shop Kodama Osu Arena.
