Against Japan, Christenson hopes USA gets share of love from Pinoy fans too

Micah Christenson PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

MANILA, Philippines — While USA has been getting love from the Filipino fans in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg, there's no denying that Japan is still the clear favorite of the Philippine people.

Japan, after all, is an Asian team and it helps that Ryujin Nippon's players like Yuki Takahashi, Yuji Nishida, and Ran Takahashi among others have the combination of volleyball prowess and looks.

Team USA captain and setter and captain Micah Christenson, who is also a fan-favorite, hopes that it won't be a total home game for Japan when they collide on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the final offering of this VNL Manila leg at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"Just try to get a little bit better than today. We were starting to get on this road where we're taking steps in the right direction and we're gonna just try to take another step in the right direction tomorrow and enjoy also the moment," Christenson said following USA's 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23 win over Germany on Saturday.

"I'm assuming when I was told it's a full stadium here. So hopefully, we get a little bit of support. I know Japan is very popular but we're gonna try to do our best for everybody," added Christenson who tossed 29 excellent sets against Germany.

Christenson's USA has won two of their three games so far in this Manila leg which he said has been feeling like a home game than they do whenever they play at their home soil.

"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," Christenson said in a previous interview with The Manila Times.

Eleventh seed USA holds a 5-6 slate while sixth placer Japan, which plays on Saturday evening against France, sports a 7-3 slate.

'Cheer for us Alas'

Christenson and Team USA met with both Alas Pilipinas men's and women's teams on Friday and he shared that they implored Filipino players to cheer for them.

"It was awesome just to get to talk to them, listen to their experience and talk about who they're gonna cheer for if it's gonna be Japan or us tomorrow. So we put a little pressure on them to cheer for us. But that was great, they're all really good people and it's cool that we're able to meet them," said Christenson.

"All of them, we talked to the two guy players, there was the setter and we talked about setting a little bit and then the three women's team players we shared food together just like we're friends. It was really informal, felt really friendly and that's the best thing in my opinion."