FC Tokyo received a straight sets beating from league-leading Toray, 18-25, 18-25, 22-25, in the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 men’s tournament, Saturday at the Sumida City Gymnasium.
Marck Espejo was not fielded in by head coach Koichiro Shimbo even though the Filipino import was in the lineup for the game and in uniform.
FC Tokyo was able to keep in step with the Arrows in the third set, knotting the scoreline at 18. However, Toray finished off its foes with a 7-4 blitz for the sweep.
Hungarian import Krisztián Pádár led the Arrows with 23 points on 19 attacks, three service aces, and a block.
Shoma Tomito followed through with 16 points while Kentaro Takahashi, the league’s leading blocker nailed eight points, including three rejections.
The Arrows rose to 21-10 to lead the 10-team field.
With Espejo on the bench, Norwegian reinforcement Jonas Kvalen failed to capitalize, earning only six points, going 4-of-19 in his attacks.
Hayata Yanagimachi got 12 points for the 8-18 FC Tokyo.
FC Tokyo will have another crack on Toray tomorrow at 1 pm at the same venue.
