FRANCE completed a four-match sweep of Quezon City swing with a 25-16, 25-19, 19-25, 25-21 victory over Germany yesterday in the Volleyball Nations League at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Earvin Ngapeth, who was rested in the previous match, had two blocks to finish with 18 points to go with team-high nine digs and four receptions as the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist improved to a 7-1 overall.

Stephen Boyer, who also played big with 16 points and six digs, was happy to leave the Philippines with the victory despite the tough challenge the German posed in the third set – the first time the French yielded a set in Week 2.

“It’s always good to win. It’s not the good way but it’s okay. We have to restart in the fourth set and the most important is the victory. We will gonna rest and travel. Our next stop is our games in Japan and just continue to go on our way,” said Boyer.

In front of 10,273 fans that packed the Big Dome, captain Yuki Ishikawa had 21 points, eight digs and seven receptions as Japan pulled off a 25-21, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19 victory over Slovenia to cap its Quezon City stint with a 3-1 record.

The Slovenians rallied from a 17-22 hole in the second set with a 8-0 run capped by a Rok Mozic’s powerful kill to level with the Japanese at one apiece.

“We were winning but we lost the set. One thing, we didn’t attack,” said Ishikawa through an interpreter regarding the second set meltdown.

Japan, however, got its bearings in the next two sets behind Ishikawa, Yuji Nishida and Kentaro Takahashi to head back home with a 6-2 record overal.

“The result is okay, we did get three points,” said Ishikawa.

Tatsu Otsuka, back in his usual outside hitter position, dropped 13 kills to go with 10 receptions and eight digs while Nishida had two service aces to finish with 12 points aside from collecting eight digs and seven receptions for the Japanese.

Mozic led Slovenia with 20 points including two blocks and six receptions, Toncek Stern added 16 points, while skipper Tine Urnaut had 11 points, six receptions and four digs.
Slovenia and Germany fell to 3-5 card.

In a country which has basketball as the most popular sport and volleyball not far behind, Boyer hopes that the Filipinos were somehow inspired by France’s world-class play. The Quezon City leg is one part of the French journey for another shot at the Olympic gold in 2024, where Boyer’s country is hosting the Paris Olympics.

“For me, it is the first time that I discovered the Philippines. It’s nice to play here in this gym. It’s really great to play here,” said Boyer.

Linus Weber led the Germans with 16 points, while Lukas Maase had three blocks to finish with eight points.

Despite the struggles in the Philippine leg where Germany paraded a young team, Weber appreciated the support has given from the fans.

“What can I say, the best thing to do is playing good volleyball. Let’s make a good show and if they like us, they enjoyed the show,” said Weber.

After sitting out in last Saturday’s straight-set win over Japan, Ngapeth went guns ablazing in the opening set by scoring six points, and led the French in closing things out in the fourth set with seven points.