KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Powerhouse Brazil threw its full might and crushed the Netherlands, 25-21, 25-15, 25-20, on Thursday, July 6, in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Brazilians encountered only brief resistance from their Dutch counterparts to get back on the winning track after a shock defeat to Italy in the opener on Tuesday.

The win was Brazil’s seventh in 10 games – good for solo third.

Almost everybody did their fair share for Brazil with opposite hitter Henrique Honorato and Lucas Saatkamp leading the charge with 10 points apiece.

The 26-year-old Honorato pumped in seven kills while Saatkamp took charge of the defensive end by posting six blocks on top of four attacks.

After taking the second set with nary a trouble, the Brazilians quickly took a comfortable 13-5 lead.

Complacency nearly did the Brazilians in as they fell into a maze of errors, allowing the Dutch to regroup and cut the deficit at 23-15.

The Netherlands further threatened with three straight attack points from Bennie Tuinstra, Wessel Keemink and Wouter Ter Maat to inch closer, 23-18.

But that was the closest they could manage as the Brazilians restored order with huge plays to finally seal the deal.

Ricardo and Alan Souza chipped in nine points each including a combined 14 hits for the Brazilians, even as Judson Nunes da Cunha Jr helped with six points.

The Netherlands evened its record to 5-5, but remained inside the Top 8 in this crucial stage.

Up next for Brazil will be Poland on Friday, July 7, followed by China on Saturday, July 8.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, will face crowd favorite Japan on Friday and Slovenia on Sunday, July 9.