Manila: Alas Pilipinas is set to participate in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men's Nations Cup scheduled for June 17-24 in Bahrain. The competition will see the Philippines placed in Pool B alongside Qatar, Vietnam, Australia, and Kazakhstan, as revealed during the AVC Board of Administration Meeting. The event was hosted by AVC and Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon 'Tats' Suzara at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.
According to Philippines News Agency, the AVC Men's Nations Cup is one of several international competitions in which the Philippines will participate. Before heading to Bahrain, the team will compete in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on June 10-12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This event serves as preparation for the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship, which the Philippines will host from September 12-28. Suzara expressed enthusiasm about the draw, stating, "It was a remarkable draw for the AVC's competitions, and we're incredibly happy to announce that volleyball is very much alive in Asia. We're aiming for excellent quality of the competitions."
In addition to the Men's Nations Cup, the Philippines will compete in the AVC Women's Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam, from June 7-14. The team will face Iran, Indonesia, Mongolia, and New Zealand in Pool B. Host Vietnam, Australia, Indonesia, Chinese-Taipei, and Hong Kong make up Pool A.
Furthermore, the younger Alas Women will participate in the AVC Women's U16 Championship from July 20-27 in Amman, Jordan. The Philippines is in Pool B with Japan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. The other pools include Jordan, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and Hong Kong in Pool A; China, Qatar, South Korea, and Kazakhstan in Pool C; and Chinese-Taipei, Thailand, Australia, and India in Pool D.
The AVC Men's U16 Championship groupings were also announced for the event in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, from July 12-19, although the Philippines is not competing. Under Suzara's leadership, elected in August last year in Bangkok, the AVC aims to continue growing the sport in the region, guided by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
The recent meeting also included several prominent officials from the AVC, such as immediate past president Rita Subowo of Indonesia, secretary-general Hugh Graham of Cook Islands, and other executive members from across Asia, along with PNVF vice president Ricky Palou and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal.
