ARGENTINA TRIUMPHS

Argentina crawled back from a two-set hole to turn back a feisty Finland side, 19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-11, in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

- By RISTEL SATUMBAGA

The Argentinians, quarterfinalists in the 2022 edition, regained their pace in the third set and kept that momentum going until the deciding fifth frame where they untangled themselves for a 6-all deadlock on their way to their first victory in Pool C.

Pablo Kukartsev was unstoppable at the attack line and fired 16 kills to finish with 20 points, while outside hitter Luciano Palonsky was equally relentless by pumping in 18 of his 19 points on attacks.