Just hours after defending back-to-back Olympic champion France crashed out of competition, Italy booked a trip to the FIVB Men’s World Championship Round of 16.
The quest to defend its crown is pretty much alive for Italy.
This as the Italians prevailed over Ukraine, 25-21, 25-22, 25-18 in their FIVB Men’s World Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Thursday, September 18.
With a 2-1 win-loss record, Italy joins unbeaten Belgium in the Round of 16.
There, the defending world champions are expected to meet Argentina--which took down Olympic gold medalists France.
The next phase begins on Saturday, September 20 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.