Brazil-Italy, Japan-China clashes kick off VNL Week 3 in MOA Arena

Powerhouse teams will kick off the third week of the 2023 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) set to be hosted by the Philippines at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena on July 4.

World no. 3 Brazil will take on world no. 4 Italy in the opening salvo at 3 p.m. while league-leading and undefeated Japan will slug it out against China at 7 p.m. as the VNL makes its return to the country.

“Everyone is excited with the VNL men’s competition and we’re expecting more fans to march to the MOA Arena to witness thrilling world-class and high flying international men’s volleyball action,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara in a statement.

Brazil is currently third in standing with a 6-2 card while Italy sits at 7th spot featuring a 5-3 slate. Japan, meanwhile, will look to protect its unbeaten run at 8-0 against China, who's at 14th spot with a 2-6 record.

This is the first time that Brazil is playing in the Philippines for the VNL while Japan, China, and Italy all played here when PNVF hosted the 2022 edition at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Philippine leg serves as the final and critical stage of the VNL’s preliminary round that will determine the top eight squads which will advance to the final stage from July 19 to 24 in Poland.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News