VNL: Brazil bounces back with sweep of Netherlands

FILE–Brazil in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Brazil swept the Netherlands with a vengeful 25-21, 25-15, 25-20 victory to regain its winning ways in the  Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men’s tournament on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

After starting their Manila leg with a tough 23-25, 20-25, 25-15, 21-25 defeat to Italy last Tuesday, the Brazilians vented their ire on the Dutch with Henrique Honorato and Lucas Saatkamp showing the way in the 72-minute match.

Brazil drew a collective effort from its players as Bruno Mossa Rezende, one of the top setters in the world, provided brilliant plays for Honorato and Saatkamp, while Ricardo Lucarelli Souza and Alan Souza also contributed nine points each.

The Brazilians improved to a 7-3 record in third place behind unbeaten Japan (9-0) and the United States (8-1) in the crucial week 3 of the VNL.

“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,” said team captain Rezende.

Brazil limited Dutch ace Nimir Abdel-Aziz to just eight points, following a 24-point eruption in a 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 25-18 win over Canada on Wednesday.

Wouter Ter Maat led the Netherlands with 10 points as they remained at the No. 8 seed with a 5-5 card after giving up 27 errors in the match.

Brazil battles No.4 Poland (7-2) on Friday at 11 a.m., while the Netherlands seeks to bounce back against unbeaten Japan at 6 p.m.

Only the Top 8 teams will qualify in the final round from July 19 to 24 in Poland from the 16-team VNL.