Tokyo Great Bears managed to upset Wolfdogs Nagoya in both matches this weekend. In the first one, they had to work for five sets before celebrating a 3-2 (25-23, 25-22, 26-28, 20-25, 15-10) victory. Outside hitter Rikuto Goto led the way with 23 points, including three kill blocks and two aces. Tokyo’s Polish star opposite Bartosz Kurek impressed with six kill blocks towards a 22-point tally. On Sunday, the home team was more convincing and mastered a 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-23) shutout. Kurek was the best scorer of the match with three stuffs, two aces and 15 successful swings. Tokyo climbed to fifth place on 9-9 and 26, while Nagoya remained in third on 13-7 and 38.
There was a change at the bottom of the table after Nippon Steel Sakai Blazers achieved two home victories over Nagano Tridents and surpassed them into ninth place on 5-15 and 15, leaving the opponents in 10th on 3-17 and 14. Saturday’s game was resolved in straight sets, 3-0 (25-15, 27-25, 25-20), with Danish opposite Ulrik Dahl leading the way with 17 points, including two aces. Sunday’s duel, however, was pushed to five sets, but the victory once again went Sakai’s way, 3-2 (23-25, 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 15-8). Italian outside Tommaso Rinaldi topped the match chart with 25 points, including two stuffs and an ace, for the winners.
