Bagunas stars as Oita Miyoshi wins thriller vs Nagoya; Espejo returns in FC Tokyo loss

FIlipino reinforcement Bryan Bagunas was on fire in Oita Miyoshi's come-from-behind win over the Wolfdogs Nagoya, 18-25, 23-25, 30-28, 26-24, 15-13, in the Japan V.League on Saturday.

The Philippine national team mainstay exploded for 23 points founded on 20 attacks, two service aces, and one block as Oita finally put an end to their three-game losing streak to improve to 5-16.

Aside from Bagunas, also effective for Oita was Emerson Rodriguez who churned out 15 markers anchored on 13 attacks, one block, and one ace.

Oita's victory spoiled Nagoya's Polish import Bartosz Kurek's 40-point explosion as the Wolfdogs dropped to 10-7.

Meanwhile, it was a contrasting result for another Filipino import in returning Marck Espejo and his FC Tokyo after they absorbed a sweep loss at the hands of JTEKT Stings, 25-17, 25-12, 25-19.

Espejo, who missed his club's three previous games, finally rejoined his teammates but was only fielded sparingly in the second set. The former Ateneo standout missed all his attack attempts but managed to finish with one service ace.

FC Tokyo was dealt their third loss in a row to slide to 6-15 in the team standings. 

Both Oita Miyoshi and FC Tokyo will plunge back to action on Sunday.

—JMB, GMA News