By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
United States and Canada toppled their respective rivals to jumpstart their respective title campaigns in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in different venues on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The Americans, who finished sixth in the 2022 edition, outplayed Colombia, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, while the Canadians bucked a first-set hiccup and turned back Libya, 22-25, 25-20, 25-12, 29-27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ethan Champlin spearheaded United States’ assault by firing 17 points built on 12 kills, two aces and three blocks, even as Gabriel Garcia and Jordan Ewert chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Americans dominated the Colombians on all fronts, firing more attacks, 40-31, and blasting more service aces, 8-3. They also managed six blocks compared to Colombia’s only four.
Miguel Amaranto was the only double-digit scorer for Colombia with 11 points.
Like the United States, Canada posted 12 blocks and 15 service aces to overpower Libya, with five players scoring in double figures.
Sharone Vernon-Evans and skipper Nicholas Hoag anchored the Canadians with 22 and 20 points, respectively, including combined 31 kills and seven aces, while middle blocker Fyiann McCarthy finished with 12 points highlighted by six aces.
Daenan Gyimah and Jackson Young contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
