Bryan Bagunas set to reinforce Osaka Bluteon in Japan V. League

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Bryan Bagunas is back in the first country that believed in his capabilities to perform as an Asian volleyball import.

After a three-year absence, the Filipino volleyball superstar is back in Japan, having signed a contract with the Osaka Bluteon club, which is currently competing in the Japan Volleyball League.

The development was announced on July 16, 2025, when Osaka Blueton warmly welcomed Bagunas via a social media post on their official Facebook account.

Before returning to the Japan V. League, Bagunas first made waves in the Top League volleyball tournament in Taiwan, where he rendered his services to the Win Streak club.

Not only did Bagunas showcase his power and outside hitting, but the Filipino stalwart also became the first Filipino to win a volleyball championship title overseas.

Bagunas followed the footsteps of Jaja Santiago who also made history after becoming the first Filipina volleyball player to clinch a title as an import in Japan after carrying the Ageo Medics against the NEC Red Rockets last March 2021.

The Philippine national team staple member posted All-Star statistics during the championship game against the Pingtung Taipower and dropped 42 big points built from 39 successful attacks.

It was an insane back-and-forth championship showdown but in the end, Bagunas and Win Streak prevailed over Pingtung in five grueling sets, 19-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-21, 15-12.

After Bagunas’ All-Star career in Taiwan, his Asian import selection stock immediately skyrocketed, but the Filipino chose to go home to the PHL and play for the Cignal HD Spikers in the Spikers’ Turf tournament.

Bagunas is still with the Alas Pilipinas Men’s National Volleyball Team but failed to make an appearance in the past two tournaments due to a recurring injury.