ITALY broke through a logjam in the team standings by surging past Slovenia, 25-13, 25-22, 25-17, in the 2023 Volleyball Nations League's Pasay City leg on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Yuri Romanò spearheaded the winning charge with 16 points off 11 attacks, three aces, and two blocks as Italy clinched a spot in the VNL's Final Eight.
Italy climbed to third place ahead of world No. 1 Poland with an 8-3 (win-loss) slate. Slovenia absorbed its second defeat in three Philippine games and dropped to 7-4.
Italy's penultimate match before the VNL's final phase won't be much of an easier task as it takes on unbeaten league leader Japan on Saturday.
The Azzurri's Ale Michielletto and Daniele Lavia tallied 13 markers apiece to put the lock on their eighth victory of the tournament.
Rock-solid blocking was the name of the game for the Italians from the get-go, registering 14 solid net denials to further fuel Italy's already red-hot offense.
"It was a very good game. Now we are in the finals, so we are happy. We are very excited. Like I said, that is our goal and we want to do well. Now we go to the finals and aim to win," Romano said.
Captain Simone Giannelli heaped praise on their Slovenian foes.
"Slovenia is a very good team with very good players so, it's always difficult to play against them. Today wasn't a good match for both teams but the important thing today was the victory and for the qualifiers so we did it and I'm happy," Giannelli said.
"I am very excited about going to the finals because it's hard to reach this stage, so, I am happy but tomorrow we have another match," he added.
Klemen Čebulj paced Slovenia in a disheartening fourth VNL defeat with 13 points.
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