Trefuerza
In the last round of the Final 6, which is the second stage of the regular season, Toyoda Gosei Trefuerza defeated Panasonic Panthers on the road in straight sets, partially 26-24, 25-19, 29-27) to claim No.2 with a 3-2 record and 14 points (10 points + 4 points added, according to the placement in the first stage). It means they will play the playoff semifinals against the third-placed side, whose name will be known tomorrow. The Panthers secured No.1, an automatic berth for the playoff finals, in the last round. Despite finishing Final 6 with the same number of points on their account (9 points + 5 points, according to the placement in the first stage) and with the same win-loss ratio as Trefuerza, the Panthers earned the top-seed for the playoffs due to the fact they won the first part of the regular season.
As for the game today, the Croatian Igor Omrčen scored 21 (2 aces, 3 kill blocks) points for Trefuerza, while the Pole Michał Kubiak topped Panthers with 17 points. The Panthers could not count on their starting opposite Kunihiro Shimizu, who will be sidelined until the end of the season.
The last remained spot for the playoffs, No.3 in the standings, is not yet determined but the defending champions Toray Arrows have the most chances to claim it. They swept the only rivals for No.3, JT Thunders, by a 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-23) with 28 points from the Canadian Gavin Schmitt. The Australian Thomas Edgar scored 30 points for the losing side.
Both teams are about to play one more game in the Final 6 (tomorrow) and both are leveled in the standings with a 3-1 record and 10 points. In case each one of them scores a three-point worth win in the remaining encounter, Toray will be the one to earn No.3 and a semifinal matchup with Trefuerza due to the better placement in the first part of the season.
To see complete results, stats, and standings, visit our JPN National Championship 2017/2018 / Male / Seniors page.
SUBSCRIBE to have full access to WoV PROFILES, STATS, and WoVVIDEO.
Discover what’s new in the volleyball world.
