Tag: Manila

Team USA faces ‘mountain to climb’ as VNL unfolds in Manila

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USA team captain Micah Christenson during a press conference ahead of the VNL Week 3 in Manila. –PNVF PHOTO

VNL 2024 schedule: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA braces for a tough climb to the Final Eight of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) as it plays crucial games in its first stint in Manila for Week 3.

All eyes are on the Americans as they play at Mall of Asia Arena for the first time in the Philippines’ third straight hosting of the prestigious world tournament.

“It’s a pleasure to be here. It’s our first year here. We felt a lot of love online and on social media from Filipino fans so to finally be here and experience it in person is a real pleasure,” USA skipper Micah Christenson said. “We’re excited to experience it all.”

Christenson, the reigning VNL Best Setter, knows his team is facing the daunting task of making it to the Top 8 as they are currently in 12th place with a 3-5 record.

“I think we’re trying to just improve and get better. We’ve got a bit of a mountain to climb in terms of qualifying for the finals,” he said. “But we brought our climbing gears so we’re going to try our best to get up there.”

READ: ‘Great expectations’ ahead for Japan in VNL Manila leg

USA coach John Speraw, meanwhile, said is awe of the Philippine volleyball’s popularity that they will finally get to experience it in Manila, where the FIVB Men’s World Championship next year will also be held. 

“We were talking about the fact that we had not had an opportunity to come to the Philippines yet we were looking forward to that day. Here we are so we’re excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity to experience it,” Speraw said.

“I’ve heard so much about which is the support of the Philippine fans and how much volleyball has grown here in this country. And certainly a precursor to the world championships next year.”

The USA will debut in Manila on Wednesday against Iran at 7 p.m. after the 3 p.m. game between France and Germany.

“We’re trying to have our best week of VNL and play our best volleyball this summer and as we look to continue to improve with the ultimate goal in mind. We’re excited to get out and compete and see all the fans,” said the USA coach.

The Top 8 teams will qualify in the VNL Final Round in Poland. The league is also serving as the final volleyball tournament before the Paris Olympics with five tickets based on the FIVB World Rankings up for grabs.



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Only seven countries – USA, host France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Poland, and Canada – have booked their Olympic seats so far.

The Netherlands and Brazil open the VNL Leg 3 on Tuesday at 5 p.m., followed by the main game between Japan and Canada at 8:30 p.m.

‘Great expectations’ ahead for Japan in VNL Manila leg

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Team captains and coaches who will be participating in the VNL men’s volleyball
competition that will be held in MOA Arena in Pasay City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Yuki Ishikawa and Japan are elated to play in Manila for the third time in a row in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2024 Week 3 starting Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Japanese men’s volleyball team, the fan-favorite of Filipinos, resumes its VNL campaign against Canada at 8:30 p.m. after the Netherlands and Brazil’s match at 5 p.m.

“We are so happy to be here again. We played for the last two years and we are doing well. This week is very important for us because, after our pool matches, we have the (VNL) finals and the Olympic Games,” said Ishiwaka, who will play in the Paris Olympics 2024. “Our goal is we’ll take good lessons to the Olympic Games. We’ll do well this weekend.”

READ: Fan favorites USA, Japan arrive in Manila for VNL

The Japan team captain, who will be with Ran Takahashi and Yuji Nishida, is determined to solidify their chances to the Final 8 with a 6-2 record in fifth place.

“Now we are preparing well, everybody here. I had some lapses in the first week and the second. We have to think always (about the) big games and we have to play well,” Ishikawa said.

Playing crucial matches in Manila, Japan’s French coach Philippe Blain vows his wards will play their best in front of the Filipino crowd.

READ: VNL set for Manila leg with Japan, USA headlining

“We know that we have great expectations also here in the Philippines with the fans. So we will do our best to make the best spectacle and the best volleyball possible to come,” Blain said.

Ishikawa agreed with his coach as Japan remains hungry despite being one of the seven countries with host France, Germany, Brazil, USA, Poland, and Canada that qualified for the Olympics.

“We are so excited to play here in front of Filipino fans. We will do our best to really show our best volleyball. I can’t way to play in front of Filipino fans,” said the reigning VNL Best Outside Spiker.



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Team USA, Japan arrive for VNL in Manila

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Team USA arriving in Manila for the VNL competition hosted by the country. –PH VOLLEYBALL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) fever is on as fan favorites the United States and Japan arrived in Manila on Saturday.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) shared that the competing men’s teams in its third consecutive hosting of the VNL have landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Team USA, led by ace setter Micah Christenson, is set for its Manila debut, receiving a warm welcome from its Filipino fans at the airport.

READ: VNL: A primer on a world-class tournament

The Americans will debut on Wednesday against Iran at Mall of Asia Arena, 7 p.m.

Japan, bannered by Ran Takahashi, Yuki Ishikawa, and Yuji Nishida, also arrived on Saturday afternoon for its third consecutive Manila stint.

The Japanese highlight the opening day of the third leg on Tuesday against Canada, which landed in Manila earlier, at 8:30 p.m. The Netherlands and Brazil raise the curtains at 5 p.m.

READ: MOA Arena to host 2024 VNL Manila leg

Alas Pilipinas men’s squad was supposed to take on Japan in a friendly but PNVF announced it won’t push through “due to unforeseen circumstances that have impacted its preparation and scheduling.”

“Our commitment to delivering an exciting volleyball experience remains unwavering. Please stay tuned to our official channels for updates on future events,” the PNVF wrote on Friday. “In the meantime, join us for Week 3 of VNL 2024 from June 18-23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. We look forward to seeing you cheer your hearts out!”

Germany and France are also part of the third VNL in Manila.



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