KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Netherlands recovered from an opening set loss and turned back Germany, 22-25, 31-29, 25-23, 25-16, Friday in Week 2 of the Volleyball Nations League Men’s Leg at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Skipper Nimir Abdel-Aziz erupted for 31 points built on 25 kills, three blocks and three aces to power the Dutch crew to their fourth win in seven matches for 12 points to remain at No. 6.

Nimir, a member of the national team, stepped up when needed most particularly in the second set where he nailed back-to-back aces for the set victory.

He also fired two straight down-the-line spikes to help Netherlands shatter a 23-all count before sealing the deal for the Dutch with a back row attack.

Gijs Jorna also shone for the Dutch team with 11 points off 10 kills, while Bennie Tuinstra Junior chipped in 10 points.

The Germans started hot at the attack line by firing 18 kills but failed to sustain this as Netherlands provided solid net defense in the next three frames.

Back-to-back attacks from Linus Weber actually gave Germany the set point advantage in the second frame, but a middle spike from the Netherlands and Nimir’s back-to-back aces killed their momentum.

Even the third set was the same story as Weber’s off-the-block spike tied the match at 23-all, but Nimir was too hot to handle.

It was a different atmosphere in the fourth as the Dutch dictated the pace, leading 11-6, which proved enough to take the fight out of the Germans.

The Germans have yet to win a match for this week after absorbing their fourth loss in seven games including Thursday’s match against China, which they forfeited after refusing to play the Chinese.

Tobias Krick and Lukas Maase also scored 12 and 10 points in a failed attempt for Germany.

Tags: #VNL Manila Leg