Japanese volleyball star Ran Takahashi was grateful to the Filipino fans for their support as world No. 6 Japan enters the last stages of the preliminary phase in the men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3.

Japanese volleyball star Ran Takahashi

The 21-year-old wing spiker fired 14 points to help Japan complete a come-from-behind win against the world No. 22 China on Tuesday, June 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City to stay perfect with a 9-0 slate in the standings.

Takahashi, who has been a local fan favorite in the Philippines, is no stranger to the country as the VNL held its first-ever leg at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last year as part of its three-year contract with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

The Japanese had to dig themselves out of a 2-1 set deficit, and on their side was the Filipino support that never wavered until the final point as they remained the top seed and only unbeaten team in the tournament.

“Philippine fans are amazing. I’m so appreciative of them. They gave me a lot of energy also. It [feels] special to play in the Philippines,” said Takahashi post-match.

Last month, the 6-foot-2 Japanese signed a deal with Italian club team Vero Volley Monza in the SuperLega after having previously played two seasons for Pallavolo Padova also in the same league.

Takahashi and the Japanese team are down to their last three consecutive matches of the preliminary phase before the final phase begins from July 19 to 24 in Poland.

Japan will return to action on Friday, July 7 against world No. 10 the Netherlands, which is coming off a straight-set beating at the hands of world No. 3 Brazil on Thursday, July 6.

The Japanese and Dutch serve as the final offering of the triple-header at 7 p.m.