After a two-week rest due to COVID-19 protocols, FC Tokyo returned to action but was denied by Sakai, 19-25, 17-25, 19-25, in the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 men’s tournament, Saturday at the Nippon Steel Sakai Gymnasium.
Filipino import Marck Espejo was limited to just six points on five attacks and a service ace. He was held to just 14 spiking attempts in the loss.
Sharone Vernon-Evans led the Blazers with 20 points including a hyper-efficient 18-of-26 in his attacks.
Yuki Higuchi led the local side of Sakai with 14 points scattered through 12 hits, a block, and a service ace.
The Blazers rose atop the standings at 21-8.
Jonas Kvalen paced FC Tokyo with 14 points while Ayato Kuroda got 29 spiking attempts but failed to capitalize, only connecting in nine of those.
FC Tokyo dropped to 8-17 to remain at eighth place.
The two teams face each other anew tomorrow at 2 pm at the same Sakai venue.
