Elian on fire as FUNVIC end Minas’ unbeaten Superliga run

Volei FUNVIC Natal rebounded quickly from their weekend setback to reigning world champions Sada Cruzeiro Volei and took down the last undefeated team in the Brazilian Superliga, Fiat Gerdau Minas, on Wednesday.

The fourth-place finishers of last year’s FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship, who are currently seventh in the Superliga, were on the road and upset the leaders and recently-crowned Brazilian Cup champions Minas in five sets (25-20, 25-23, 15-25, 16-26, 16-14) to silence the Arena Minas in Belo Horizonte.

Outside hitter Luis Elian, who was part of the Cuban national team that finished fourth at the 2015 FIVB U23 World Championship, led all scorers with 25 points (23 kills, one block, one ace). The 21-year-old Caribbean also received the Player of the Match award.

FUNVIC Natal’s other international player, American middle blocker Patrick Gasman, followed him with 13 points (ten kills, three blocks), while Brazil national team libero and Tokyo Olympian Thales Hoss was almost perfect on the backcourt with a 91% efficiency rate in receiving and several digs.

“This was a key result for us to remain among the eight teams that will qualify for the playoffs,” head coach Adalberto Jorge commented. “Being the first team to beat Minas in the Superliga gives us a lot of confidence to continue moving forward. We’re focused on our goals and are working very hard and that showed tonight.”

Led by Rio 2016 Olympic champion setter William Arjona, Minas had four players scoring in double digits in the match despite the upset – outside hitters Henrique Honorato, with 18 (16 kills, one block, one ace), and Leonardo ‘Leozinho’ Nascimento, with 17 (14 kills, two blocks, one ace), Cuban opposite Michael Sanchez, with 16 (13 kills, two blocks, one ace), and middle blocker Edson Paixao, with 11 (seven kills, three blocks, one ace).

“We knew that if we were to have problems this season, it would be at this moment,” William reflected. “We’ve played several matches in a short period of time and had to rest some players tonight. But we need to keep our heads up and continue working because we still have a comfortable lead.”

Despite the setback, Minas remain at the top of the standings with 43 points (14 wins, one loss). Sada Cruzeiro are now closer with 38 (13 wins, two losses), followed by SESI, with 34 (12 wins, three losses). FUNVIC Natal are seventh with 20 (seven wins, nine losses).

Both teams will return to action over the weekend with FUNVIC Natal hosting Azulim Gabarito Uberlandia on Saturday and Minas going on the road against Brasilia Volei on Sunday.