ATTACK. Polish Wilfredo Leon Venero (right) scores against two Brazilian defenders during the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 7, 2023. World No. 1 Poland won the match, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21. (VNL photo)
MANILA – Poland lived up to its billing as world No. 1 after posting a 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory over Brazil in the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday.
Opposite hitter Wilfredo Leon Venero had 20 attacks, one block and an ace as the Poles conquered the formidable Brazilians in less than two hours to gain solo third spot at 8-2 behind leaders Japan and the United States.
Poland rallied past Slovenia, 29-31, 21-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-13 on Wednesday to remain unbeaten in 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.
Bartosz Bednorz made 11 points, while skipper Bartosz Kurek added 10 points for Poland, which will host the eight-team finale on July 19 to 24 in Gdansk City.
“We prepare for this kind of games. Brazil is a very strong team so we knew from the beginning that it will be a tough game,” said Leon Venero after the match. “Our team needs our best game as possible and we think it’s enough to win.”
World No. 4 Brazil relied on Alan Souza and Ricardo Lucarelli Souza to win the second set. But Poland regained its form and fought back behind Bednorz, Kurek and Venero to wrap up the match.
The Brazilians dropped to 7-4 at No. 6 in the final preliminary round of the VNL Philippine leg presented by PLDT and supported by Rebisco, Akari, Philippine Sports Commission, Fitbar, Instax Fujifilm, Fitness First, Pasay City, Taguig City, Diamond Hotel, Maynilad, Peugeot, SM MOA Arena, The Look Company and The Moment Group with Cignal, Inquirer Group, RMN, DOOH, One Sports, One Sports+ and Mega Mobile as media partners.
Poland will gun for win No. 3 against Canada at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Other matches pit Brazil against China at 11 a.m. and Japan against Italy at 7 p.m. (PNA)
