Yuri Romanò fueled Italy anew to outhustle top seed Japan, 29-27, 28-26, 23-25, 25-20, in the Week 3 of the men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Saturday night, July 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Italians dealt the Japanese their first loss in 10 matches this season, and in turn, improved to 9-3 in the standings heading into the quarterfinals with a much-needed morale boost.
Romanò carried out the game-winning performance of 22 points on 16 attacks, three blocks and three aces, while Daniele Lavia had 18 points. Alessandro Michieletto and Gianluca Galassi contributed 14 and 11 points, respectively. After taking a hard earned, extended 2-0 set lead, Italy couldn’t repel Japan’s fight back and yielded the third frame. The Japanese regained momentary control in the fourth and firmly held a four-point lead, 15-11, until the Italians retaliated and tied it at 19-all. It was the needed push for Italy as it went on a 6-1 run for the match win, preserving their unbeaten record in the Philippine leg. “Amazing atmosphere when you play here against Japan. It's very good, very fun,” Romanò said. Japanese skipper Yuki Ishikawa had another brilliant outing of 21 points in the losing effort, while opposite spiker Yuji Nishida tallied 20 points.
*Gianluca Galassi (14), Daniele Lavia (15) and Simone Giannelli (6) of Italy put up a triple block against Yuki Ishigawa (14) of Japan. (VNL Images)
*Romanò carried out the game-winning performance of 22 points on 16 attacks, three blocks and three aces, while Daniele Lavia had 18 points. Alessandro Michieletto and Gianluca Galassi contributed 14 and 11 points, respectively. After taking a hard earned, extended 2-0 set lead, Italy couldn’t repel Japan’s fight back and yielded the third frame. The Japanese regained momentary control in the fourth and firmly held a four-point lead, 15-11, until the Italians retaliated and tied it at 19-all. It was the needed push for Italy as it went on a 6-1 run for the match win, preserving their unbeaten record in the Philippine leg. “Amazing atmosphere when you play here against Japan. It's very good, very fun,” Romanò said. Japanese skipper Yuki Ishikawa had another brilliant outing of 21 points in the losing effort, while opposite spiker Yuji Nishida tallied 20 points.