Christenson: 'It feels like a home game'

Micah Christenson PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

(UPDATE) IT feels like a home game.

That's the experience so far for setter Micah Christenson and the rest of Team USA in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg which runs until June 23.

Christenson even went as far as saying that the American team gets more fan support here than when they play at their home soil.

"It [the fan support] is incredible," said Christenson in an interview with The Manila Times following USA's 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9 win over Brazil on June 20 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"I hesitate to say this but it's true, we get more fans and more love here than previously when we played in the United States just because everyone's excited to be here so the energy in the gym is great, so it feels like a home game for us. It's special, it's great."

Indeed, it felt like a home game for the USA and the Americans needed every ounce of support from the Filipino crowd to overcome the Brazilians in five grueling sets.

Christenson tossed 41 excellent sets in the victory to follow up the 35 he dished out in USA's Philippine debut against Iran on Thursday when they lost, 28-26, 23-25, 18-25, 28-26, 13-15.

With the victory over world No. 4 Brazil, world No. 6 USA improved to a 4-6 win-loss card, pumping life to its quarterfinals bid.

USA is currently 11th in the standings with two more games left in its schedule, one against Germany on June 22 and the other against another crowd favorite in Japan on June 23.

Christenson thanked the Filipino fans for their support and he hopes to see them anew in their last two games of this leg.

"Thanks for making it feel like a home game for us. We really appreciate all the support and hope to see you in the last two games of this incredible VNL leg."