Second night, same theme: Brazilian ballers shaping the tempo in Japan. According to our coverage at the Jogo Hoje, the late stages of the men’s Japanese league are turning into a real tactical showcase, not just a scoreboard exercise.
Felipe Roque was the difference-maker for JT Thunders, while Lucarelli also tasted the win with JTEKT, even if his impact stayed mostly out of the highlight reels.
The Brazilian run in Japan
Two Brazilians, two different roles, two different tactical lanes. Roque operated as the opposite with the ball in his hands often enough to stress the defensive system. Lucarelli, as the ponteiro, still contributed to the reception and follow-ups, but his stat lines tell a story of fewer offensive touches.
Felipe Roque decides with force in attack and blocking
Roque finished with 13 points, including 4 points from blocking. That’s the kind of balance coaches love: you’re not only converting in attack, you’re also taking away space at the net. His offensive efficiency landed at 59%, plus he grabbed 1 ace when the match demanded pressure.
The JT Thunders didn’t just win; they controlled the swing moments. They took the match 3 sets to 1, with parciais of 22-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-19. And in the standings, that result keeps JT Thunders in 6th place with 21 wins. Is that a team trending up? Absolutely—when your opposite is producing both blocking and clean conversion, the system looks sturdier.
Lucarelli wins in a long match, with low offensive involvement
Lucarelli’s JTEKT win over Nagoya went the distance, 3 sets to 2. The numbers show a quieter night offensively: he scored only 2 points and posted 66.67% efficiency. Not flashy, but not careless either.
What stands out is the functional work. The ponteiro was involved in reception, with 2 well-executed balls that helped JTEKT keep their transitions organized. In a five-setter, that’s the kind of consistency that wins rallies without stealing the spotlight.
JTEKT took the parciais 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-27, 15-11, and moved to 3rd place with 27 wins. When the offense isn’t loud, the question becomes: did the team stay stable? Based on the reception contribution, yes.
How JT Thunders and JTEKT look in the table
Two outcomes, two tables, one clear read. JT Thunders are still hunting consistency for a higher climb, sitting 6th with 21 wins. JTEKT, meanwhile, are built to challenge at the top—3rd with 27 wins, and they’re not blinking in long matches.
- JT Thunders: Roque’s opposite impact (13 points, 4 blocking points) helped them bank the full three-set-to-one swing.
- JTEKT: Lucarelli’s value came through reception and efficiency, even when his offensive load stayed light.
What the round says about the Brazilian phase
Here’s the tactical takeaway we can’t ignore: Roque is being used in a way that forces matchups—attack volume, then vertical presence for blocking. Lucarelli is being trusted for quality touches and ball control, especially in reception, where tempo is won before it’s even attacked.
So when people talk about “impact,” they should ask which function did the job. In this round, Roque’s job was to punish and seal. Lucarelli’s job was to keep the machine clean. Different tasks. Same win column.
O Veredito Jogo Hoje
Roque’s line is the kind of tactical statement that moves teams up the ladder: 13 points, 59% attack efficiency, plus blocking and an ace—that’s not luck, that’s structure. Meanwhile, Lucarelli proves a different lesson: even with minimal offensive output, a ponteiro can tilt matches through reception execution and high efficiency. In Japan right now, these roles aren’t “support”—they’re leverage, and JT Thunders and JTEKT are cashing it in.
Perguntas Frequentes
How many points did Felipe Roque score in JT Thunders’ win?
Felipe Roque scored 13 points, including 4 from blocking.
How was Lucarelli’s performance in JTEKT’s victory?
Lucarelli scored 2 points with 66.67% efficiency and contributed in reception with 2 well-executed balls.
What positions are JT Thunders and JTEKT in the Japanese league?
JT Thunders are 6th with 21 wins, while JTEKT are 3rd with 27 wins.
