After VNL success, PH plays host anew as Challenger Cup fires off


FILE–A general view of the crowd during a game between Team USA and Japan in the VNL 2024 at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines looks to continue its string of successful hosting gigs with the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup (VCC) for Women from Thursday to Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Behind the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the country will be hosting a third straight international competition this year with the VCC, which serves as a qualifier for the Volleyball Nations League.

Alas Pilipinas will see action in the VCC when it clashes with Vietnam in a knockout game on Friday at 6:30 p.m. following the 3 p.m. match between Argentina and the Czech Republic.

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at FIVB Challenger Cup

Puerto Rico and Kenya raise the curtains on Thursday at 3 p.m. while Belgium and Sweden plunge into action at 6:30 p.m.

Aside from developing Alas’ core for bigger international tournaments slated next year including the Southeast Asian Games, the PNVF is also preparing for its historic hosting of the 2025 Men’s World Championship.

“We’re down to 14 months to go and at the rate we’re going, we look forward to aiming for a well-hosted world championship in 2025,” said PNVF president Tats Suzara following a successful hosting of the VNL men’s Week 3 two weeks ago at Mall of Asia Arena.

The PNVF brought the AVC Challenge Cup at Rizal Memorial Coliseum last May with Alas winning a historic bronze medal. The country then hosted the VNL for the third straight year, drawing big crowds every night, especially for fan favorites Japan and USA.

READ: AVC Challenge Cup official praises PH hosting, Alas Pilipinas

The FIVB even lauded the hosting of the Philippines, looking forward to next year’s World Championship at MOA Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“The Philippines’ love for volleyball was clear, setting the stage for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025,” the FIVB wrote on its official website. “The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s pool in Manila … attracted a massive turnout of 45,886 fans eager to witness world-class volleyball, an exciting sign of what is to come for the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 in the country.”

“The event [VNL Men’s Week 3] was marked by excellent organization and hospitality, which allowed the action on the court to take center stage. As the tournament unfolded, fan excitement and engagement visibly grew.”

The highest attendance, the FIVB said, was recorded on the final day when it peaked at 93.82% with 12,497 tickets sold as fans packed the SM Mall of Asia.

READ: Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza won’t play libero in FIVB Challenger Cup

The men’s world championship featuring the top 32 nations, including the host Philippines, is set from September 12 to 28 next year.

Suzara, who was also part of the country’s hosting of the Fiba World Cup last year, is eager to improve its hosting of the prestigious men’s world championship, following another successful VNL in Manila.

“Of course, still a lot of improvement that we have to do. As you know this is the first time that the world championship will have 32 teams. So we have to divide 16 teams here and 16 in Araneta. But there are still a lot of logistical discussions with FIVB. And also on accommodation, and transportation after the VNL finals in Poland,” Suzara said. “Maybe, the discussions may also fall after Paris because everyone’s busy with the Paris Olympics. But we are looking forward to the one-year countdown on September 12.” 



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The one-year countdown on September 12 features the FIVB Draw, where the country expects 300 foreign delegates. Alas will also play Japanese club in friendlies against the Panasonic Panthers, Suntory Sunbirds, and Wolfdogs Nagoya. 

Gilas plays tuneup matches before OQT


Gilas Pilipinas waves to the crowd after the Filipinos’ win over Chinese Taipei in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Chris Newsome, June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, fresh off the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, will look to make good use of upcoming tuneup matches to gauge where Gilas Pilipinas stands against stiff opposition in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

Gilas is set to face Turkiye and Poland before the final phase of qualification for the Paris Olympics gets underway in Latvia on July 2, and coach Tim Cone said on Thursday that he hopes to make good use of those two OQT warmup matches.

“Playing against Turkey and Poland will give us an indication of what we will have to bring to Latvia and the OQT to be successful,” Cone told the Inquirer.

The Philippines will face host Latvia on July 2 and Georgia the following day in Riga, needing to win at one of those games in Group A to reach the semifinals.

But Gilas must top the Riga qualification to end the country’s 52-year wait to compete in the Summer Games.

Latvia made heads turn in last year’s World Cup when it made it to the quarterfinals behind guard Arturs Zagars and Italian coach Luca Banchi.

Before heading to Latvia, Gilas will train starting on Friday at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, then face the Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Tournament on Monday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Mustangs are a team that includes ex-NBA players Dwight Howard, DeMarcus Cousins and Quinn Cook, but there are reports that their availability for the Gilas face-off remains unsure.

Gilas flies to Europe the next day to hold those friendlies with Turkiye and Poland.

Expected to figure prominently in the OQT lead-up is Newsome, whose performance in the Philippine Cup Finals propelled the Meralco Bolts to their first PBA title.

Fajardo and Perez are part of the contingent, so is naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who is coming off a stint with Indonesian side Pelita Jaya in the Basketball Champions League Asia.



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Ginebra star Scottie Thompson, TNT’s Calvin Oftana, Japan B.League imports Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, KBL-based Carl Tamayo, La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao comprise the rest of the squad while Mason Amos and Japeth Aguilar are reportedly taking the place of injured players AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo.