GAMES TODAY
(Mall of Asia Arena)
3:30 p.m. – Bulgaria vs. Portugal
8 p.m. – USA vs. Slovenia
THE match was already over for nearly 30 minutes but star playmaker and skipper Simone Giannelli just could not escape the horde of Italian and Filipino fans going gaga and asking for selfies near courtside at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay last night.
Simone, along with outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto, made sure there would be a little celebration after the duel as defending champion Italy turned back hard-fighting Argentina 25-23, 25-20, 25-22 in their Round of 16 clash in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
After obliging to their supporters’ requests, the duo sprinted to the tunnel heading to their dugout, elated with the win but with guarded optimism as the world No. 2 Italians forged a quarterfinal tiff with the winner of the Belgium-Finland battle in the Last Eight on Wednesday.
For Azzurri coach Ferdinando De Giorgi, the triumph offered lots of positive things his charges can use in their title-retention bid—and after a stunning loss to the Belgians 23-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 13-15 Tuesday last week in Pool E play at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Belgium and Finland clashed at press time last night in their final 16 encounter.
“We are very happy with the result. We played one very solid match, on the serve, also in the block when the ball was given the opportunity,” De Giorgi said. “It was a very strong match. We played good but also Argentina. It’s 3-0 but Argentina played really well. We are happy for this.
“Now, a little bit of rest and focus immediately for our next game,” he added.
Michieletto pumped in 15 points on 12 attacks and three kill blocks for Italy while opposite spiker Yuri Romano chipped in 14 markers.
Mattia Bottolo also had 13 while Giannelli wound up 34 excellent sets for the Italians.
De Giorgi also offered kind words for compatriot and Alas Pilipinas tactician Angiolino Frigoni.
“Finally, I saw Angiolino. The best coach in the Philippines. He is coaching very, very well. I know what happened in the last match of the Philippines,” De Giorgi said. “It’s a very close game, little thing but congratulations for the work, for coaching the Philippine team.”
Perhaps if Italy were adored more by true-blue Filipino volleyball fans, this would help the team complete its renaissance.
