Campeão Olímpico Mauricio Borges liderou vitória do Campinas

A Rio 2016 Olympic champion, Borges was the MVP in Campinas' victory (Photo: Pedro Teixeira/Vôlei Renata Campinas)

Rio 2016 Olympic champion Mauricio Borges stepped up to help his team Vôlei Renata Campinas secure an important victory in the 2024-2025 Brazilian Men’s Superliga on Saturday.

Pushed by their fans at the Taquaral Stadium, Campinas emerged victorious in a dramatic five-set battle against Itambé Minas, prevailing 3-2 (25-16, 24-26, 31-29, 23-25, 15-6) in the fifth leg of the second round of the regular season.

Select Brazilian Men’s and Women’s Superliga matches are available live for VBTV subscribers located in Brazil.

The two points collected by Campinas made them gain ground on each of the three teams that appeared above them in the Superliga standings before the weekend’s matches. Now with 32 points (12 wins, four losses), Campinas have passed Praia Clube, who have 31 and will play on Sunday, and also shortened the distance to league leaders Sada Cruzeiro, who continued with 39 after losing to Joinville Vôlei 3-1, and Minas, who collected one point and got to 35.

Borges, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Tuesday, played a pivotal role in Campinas’ victory, producing 17 points, with 15 kills, one block and one ace. A key piece in the team’s defensive system, he was awarded as the match’s MVP.

“It was a tough match, as each one has been this season,” he reflected. “We can’t put our guard down against anyone and tonight it was no different. Luckily, we were able to bring out our best game in the tie-breaker. We served, passed and hit well, Bruno (Rezende, setter) did a great job too and all those things helped us win.”

Two other Olympians led Campinas’ scoring efforts against Minas with 19 points – Argentinean Olympic medalist opposite Bruno Lima, who registered 16 kills and three blocks, and outside hitter Adriano Xavier, who tallied 17 kills, one block and one ace.

Minas’ opposite Aboubacar ‘Abouba’ Neto topped all scorers with 25 points (22 kills, three blocks). Outside hitter Willian Doardo produced 19, with 17 kills, one block and one ace.

The two teams will meet again next Saturday, in the semifinals of the Brazilian Cup. Before that, on Wednesday, Campinas will return to action in the Superliga to play Viapol São José Vôlei on the road.

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