VNL: USA bounces back at Brazil's expense; Iran downs Netherlands for second win

USA Volleyball bounced back after its loss against Iran and outlasted Brazil in a five-setter, 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9, on Thursday in the Manila leg of Volleyball Nations League at the Mall of Asia Arena.

TJ Defalco led the Americans with 21 points from 18 attacks and three aces, while Maxwell Holt had 15 points as Team USA improved to 4-6.

The win spoiled Alan Souza's 26-point outing as Brazil slipped to 6-4.

Earlier, Iran claimed its second straight win after defeating the Netherlands, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-10.

Amin Esmaeilnezhad posted 29 points, while Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh Firouzjah had 27 points as Iran improved to 2-8.

Nimir Abdel-Aziz' 30-point performance was also spoiled as the Netherlands fell to 3-7.

In the morning, Canada (6-4) swept Germany (4-6), 25-19, 25-18, 25-21.

Day 4 of the VNL will see Iran going against France at 11 a.m., while Canada and Brazil will play at 3 p.m. Japan will return to action when it faces the Netherlands at 7 p.m.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News