Espejo, Bagunas, Santiago to open Japan V. League campaign this weekend

Three of the country's brightest volleyball stars are set to open their respective campaigns this weekend in the 2021-2022 Japan V. League.

Jaja Santiago, who's already in her fourth year in the Japanese league, and her team Saitama Ageo Medics will face Okayama Seagulls on Saturday, October 16, at 1 p.m. (Manila time).

Meanwhile, men's national team mainstays Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo will reinforce Oita Miyoshi and FC Tokyo, respectively, with their first assignments coming in also this weekend.

Former Ateneo standout Espejo will open his return to Japan with a match against Suntory Sunbirds while the 24-year-old Bagunas and Oita tackle Sakai Blazers. Both matches are slated for Saturday at 12 p.m.

Santiago, Bagunas, and Espejo are just three of a number of Filipino athletes currently seeing action in the Land of the Rising Sun.

In the Japan B. League, eight Pinoy cagers are suiting up as imports with brothers Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena leading the way. Also included in the list are Ray Parks, Kobe Paras, Dwight Ramos, Kemark Carino, and Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño.

—MGP, GMA News