Japan escapes China to remain undefeated in VNL

Powerhouse Japan overcame a gallant stand from China, escaping with a 24-26, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12 win in Week 3 of Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2023 on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Japan avoided an upset to remain unscathed in the tournament with a 9-0 card while China slipped to 2-7.

The Japanese team crawled back from a 2-1 set deficit with team captain Yuki Ishikawa and Kento Miyaura providing the spark in the crucial fourth set.

Lefty Miyaura delivered an off-the-block hit for a 24-22 lead in the penultimate frame before a service error from China sealed it off.

Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi led a 3-0 run in the fifth for an 8-5 cushion before middle blocker Akihiro Yamauchi dropped back-to-back points for a 14-11 lead in the fifth.

Miyaura then put the icing on the cake with another familiar attack from the opposite side.

Ishikawa starred with 19 points built on 16 attacks, two blocks, and one ace while Miyaura shone with 15 markers anchored on 14 attacks and one ace.

Earlier, Italy pulled off a 23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-21 against Brazil to kick off the VNL actions in Manila.

Yuri Romano dropped 20 points on 16 attacks and four aces while Alessandro Michieletto chipped in 17 markers as Italy improved to 6-3 while Brazil dropped to a similar 6-3 slate.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News