Brazil bounces back with win vs Netherlands

BRAZIL bounced back with a 25-21, 25-15, 25-20 win over the Netherlands in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2023 Philippine leg at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, July 6.

Honorato Nobrega and Saatkamp Lucas logged 10 points each to lead the way for the Brazilians, who lost against Italy on Tuesday.

POWER MOVE Brazil’s Felipe Roque rises for an attack against the Netherlands’ Gijs Jorna, Fabian Plak, and Wouter Ter Maat during their game at the 2023 VNL Philippine leg at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, July 6, 2023. PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

Souza Alan chipped in nine points and seven excellent digs while Souza Lucarelli added nine points and five digs.

Nunes Amabel scored six points for Brazil, which rose to a 7-3 win-loss card, good for second place in the 16-team tournament.

Saatkamp put the Brazilians at match point 24-18 but the Dutch saved two on a Fernandes Adriano service error and a Gigs Jorna block kill.

Saatkamp, though, put the Netherlands away with a kill on the ensuing play.

Ter Maat Wouter banged in 10 points to pace the eighth-running Dutch, who fell to a 5-5 slate. Abdel-Aziz Nimir also came through as he poured eight points while Tuinstra Bennie Junior added seven points.

Brazil looks to get a winning run going when it faces Poland on Friday, July 7, while Netherlands tries to bounce back and strengthen its chances of staying in the top eight and making the next phase when it battles Slovenia on July 9.