FC Tokyo was rampaged anew by Panasonic in straight sets, 21-25, 12-25, 24-26, Sunday in the 2021-22 V.League Division 1 men’s tournament at the Machida City Gymnasium.
Marck Espejo was utilized for a limited time only, finishing with just three points in six attacking attempts.
Kunihiro Shimizu led the Panthers once more with 19 points on 17 spikes, a block, and a service ace. He also went a high 17-of-26 in his attacks.
Polish import Michał Kubiak did not need to do much in the rout, making just 11 points while Tatsunori Otsuka chimed in 11 as well.
Panasonic’s win put them just a tad above Sakai (23-10) for the third and final playoff seat at 24-10.
Norwegian import Jonas Kvalen was the sole double-figure scorer for FC Tokyo with 12 points.
Hayata Yanagimachi and Yuma Nagatomo were the next top scorers in the losing cause with eight points apiece.
FC Tokyo slipped to 9-24 with just three games left in its schedule and its franchise history.
In December last year, FC Tokyo released a statement that it has decided to shut down its volleyball operations after the ongoing tournament.
They will play on Wednesday against the Blazers, at 5 pm (Manila time) at the Nippon Steel Sakai Gymnasium.
