Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782047663066rqvzeywduzjqijlpdmtf.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Defending champion Italy at the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), June 21, 2026. Volleyball World</div>MANILA — Defending champion Italy regained its winning ways by sweeping Japan, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18, in the Pasig leg of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.It was a bounce-back victory for the Italians, having lost last time around against the United States in straight-set fashion, 25-27, 20-25, 16-25, in Pool 5 of the tourney presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.Italy leaned on the offensive prowess of Kate Antropova, who tallied 17 points on 15 attacks, one block and an ace, as they improved to a 6-2 win-loss slate.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/6/21/women-s-vnl-usa-defeats-serbia-completes-sweep-of-pasig-leg-1457">READ: Women’s VNL: USA defeats Serbia, completes sweep of Pasig leg</a></div>Despite leading by four in Set 2, 22-18, Italy found itself challenged by the Japanese, as Yoshino Sato and Yuki Wada found the kills, accompanied by an Antropova attack error, that tied the match at 23-apiece.Italy&#x27;s Sarah Fahr then answered back with a hit of her own, 24-23, then Antropova stepped up, dealing the set-clinching ace for a 2-0 lead.With all of the momentum on their side, the Italians rallied early in Set 3, cruising to an 8-2 edge to pull away and score their sixth triumph.On the other hand, after a string of wins to kick off the VNL, Japan (6-2) has lost in two straight matches — first, an upset loss at the hands of then-winless Dominican Republic, 25-17, 20-25, 26-28, 23-25 — and then today against the European powerhouse.Mayu Ishikawa paced their side with 12 attack points as the Philippine stop of the VNL came to a close after five game dates.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782046177310kvqkgexlx19lmzacibwq.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Team Czechia at the 2026 VNL Pasig leg. Volleyball World</div>Earlier in the day, Czechia pulled off a hard-earned reverse sweep win over Dominican Republic, 17-25, 24-26, 25-18, 31-29, 15-10. Opposite spiker Monika Brancuska delivered a game-high 28 points on 23 attacks, three blocks, and two aces as the Czech crew improved to 4-4.Unfortunately for Dominican Republic, they couldn&#x27;t repeat their magic last night after winning over Japan in four frames, dropping to a 1-7 card.

Defending champion Italy regained its winning ways by sweeping Japan, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18, in the Pasig leg of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Defending champion Italy regained its winning ways by sweeping Japan, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18, in the Pasig leg of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Women’s VNL: Italy vents ire on Japan; Czechia pulls off reverse sweep vs Dominican Republic

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Women’s VNL: Italy vents ire on Japan; Czechia pulls off reverse sweep vs Dominican Republic

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 21, 2026 09:47 PM PHT

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VNL 2026

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