Canada eliminates Japan, books Round of 16 ticket at FIVB Worlds

Canada fended off Japan’s late comeback bid to complete a stunning 25-20, 25-23, 25-22 sweep and punch its ticket to the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The world no. 9 Canadians cruised to a comfortable 20-15 lead in Set 3 after the Japanese committed three straight attack errors with their team captain Yuki Ishikawa riding the bench for almost the entirety of the frame.

But Japan mounted a late push as Ishikawa briefly checked back in for service, delivering an ace that trimmed the deficit to 18-21. His replacement, Tatsunori Otsuka, then made his mark with back-to-back kills that brought the Japanese within a single point, 21-22.

Canada then foiled Japan's fightback with Isaac Heslinga swinging for two consecutive kills from the left wing, both over the defense of Japan's setter Motoki Eiro as they zoomed to the match point at 24-22. 

Sharone Vernon-Evans delivered the finishing blow with an off-balance kill from the opposite side, sealing Canada’s sweep and sending them through to the next round with still a game left in the preliminary round.

Vernon-Evans took charge with 14 points on 12 attacks, one ace, and one block while Nicholas Hoag and Heslinga chipped in 13 and eight markers apiece as they improved to 2-0 in Pool G. 

Canada will still take on fellow undefeated team Turkey on Wednesday to determine who takes the top spot in their group. 

Japan, who reached the Round of 16 in the 2022 edition, bowed out of contention this time despite getting solid outings from Ran Takahashi and Kento Miyauri, who posted 11 and 10 points each. 

Japan will look to close out its run on a high note on Wednesday against Libya. 

Earlier, Turkey shrugged off a Set 2 loss to eke out a 25-18, 23-25, 25-14, 25-16 win over the world no. 75 Libya and remain spotless so far. 

Bedirhan Bulbul and Ramazan Mandiraci paced the world no. 16 Turkey with 16 points each as they improved to 2-0 while Libya remained winless at 0-2. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News