BOUNCED BACK. Brazilian Henrique Honorato (right) tries to score against two Dutch defenders during the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 6, 2023. Brazil won the match, 25-21, 25-15, 25-20 to bounce back from a loss to Italy last Tuesday. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Brazil outplayed The Netherlands, 25-21, 25-15, 25-20, to improve its position in the team standings of the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Thursday.
The Brazilians conquered their Dutch opponents in 72 minutes to secure the No. 3 spot with a 7-3 win-loss card behind unbeaten Japan (9-0) and the United States (8-1).
Brazil managed to stop The Netherland’s top player Nimir Abdel-Aziz to bounce back from its 23-25, 20-25, 25-15, 21-25 loss to Italy last Tuesday.
Henrique Honorato and Lucas Saatkamp scored 10 points each while Ricardo Lucarelli Souza and Alan Souza chipped in nine points apiece.
“We tried to limit their strong attackers. They have the best (opposite) spiker in the world in Nimir and we made a great job blocking him. That was the main thing in this win,” Brazil team captain Bruno Mossa Rezende said after the match.
Abdel-Aziz, who scored 24 points in last Wednesday's 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 25-18 win over Canada, was limited to only eight points.
Wouter Ter Maat finished with 10 points for The Netherlands, which stayed at No. 8 with a 5-5 record. Defending champion France (4-5) is at No. 9.
Brazil's next match will be against world No. 1 Poland at 11 a.m. on Friday. Slovenia battles Italy at 3 p.m. and Japan faces The Netherlands at 7 p.m.
The Philippine leg of the VNL organized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the Volleyball World with Ganten, Gerflor, Mikasa, Mizuno, Senoh and Stake.com as global sponsors is supported by PLDT, Rebisco, Akari, Philippine Sports Commission.
Only the Top 8 teams will qualify in the final round from July 19 to 24 in Poland. (PNA)
