Powerhouse Brazil displayed its might in crushing the Netherlands, 25-21, 25-15, 25-20, on Thursday, July 6, in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Brazilians hardly flexed their muscles and encountered only brief resistance from their Dutch counterparts to bolster their campaign for a seventh victory in 10 games at solo third. Almost everybody contributed a little of everything for Brazil with opposite hitter Henrique Honorato and Lucas Saatkamp leading the charge with 10 points apiece. The 26-year-old Honorato pumped in seven kills while Saatkamp took charge of the defensive end by posting six blocks on top of four attacks. Brazil was practically dominating the Netherlands at the start of the third with a comfortable 13-5 cushion until it fell into a maze of errors, allowing the Dutch to regroup and regain their composure to cut the deficit at 23-15. The Netherlands further threatened with three straight attack points from Bennie Tuinstra, Wessel Keemink and Wouter Ter Maat to inch closer, 23-18, until Brazil restored order. Ricardo and Alan Souza chipped in nine points including a combined 14 hits for the Brazilians, even as Judson Nunes da Cunha Jr helped with six points. The Netherlands evened its record to 5-5, but remained inside the Top 8 in this crucial stage. Up next for Brazil will be Poland on Friday, July 7, followed by China on Saturday, July 8. The Netherlands, meanwhile, will face crowd favorite Japan on Friday and Slovenia on Sunday, July 9.
*Brazil improves to 7-3 at third place. (Photo from Volleyballworld.com)
*The Brazilians hardly flexed their muscles and encountered only brief resistance from their Dutch counterparts to bolster their campaign for a seventh victory in 10 games at solo third. Almost everybody contributed a little of everything for Brazil with opposite hitter Henrique Honorato and Lucas Saatkamp leading the charge with 10 points apiece. The 26-year-old Honorato pumped in seven kills while Saatkamp took charge of the defensive end by posting six blocks on top of four attacks. Brazil was practically dominating the Netherlands at the start of the third with a comfortable 13-5 cushion until it fell into a maze of errors, allowing the Dutch to regroup and regain their composure to cut the deficit at 23-15. The Netherlands further threatened with three straight attack points from Bennie Tuinstra, Wessel Keemink and Wouter Ter Maat to inch closer, 23-18, until Brazil restored order. Ricardo and Alan Souza chipped in nine points including a combined 14 hits for the Brazilians, even as Judson Nunes da Cunha Jr helped with six points. The Netherlands evened its record to 5-5, but remained inside the Top 8 in this crucial stage. Up next for Brazil will be Poland on Friday, July 7, followed by China on Saturday, July 8. The Netherlands, meanwhile, will face crowd favorite Japan on Friday and Slovenia on Sunday, July 9.