ITALY made a forceful statement against world no. 3 Brazil with a convincing 25-23, 20-25, 25-15, 25-21 victory to open the Volleyball Nations League Pasay City leg on a high at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.
Italy vs Brazil VNL recap
Daniele Lavia's anticlimactic game-winning ace was challenged by the Brazilians for a potential floor touch miscall but to no avail.
The Azzurri's sixth win in nine matches was powered by the one-two punch of Yuri Romanò (20 points) and Ale Michieletto (17 points).
Esteemed skipper Simone Giannelli registered 12 excellent sets in the victory.
"Brazil is a very strong team and one of the best in the world. We really focused hard because we need the points and victories to advance in the final phase in Poland," Giannelli said.
"We needed this victory but we also knew that Brazil has a complete team so we really pushed hard," he added.
Henrique Honorato paced a gut-wrenching loss for Brazil with 15 points.
Italy eyes win number seven against Canada while Brazil aims for redemption when they face the Netherlands on Thursday.
Brazil dropped to a 6-3 win-loss record.
Italy also recorded 13 powerful service aces to propel the Azzurri to a commanding first win in the VNL's Pasay City leg.
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