Manila: The Southeast Asian Volleyball Cup (SEA V Cup) opens Wednesday at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur. Alas Pilipinas is looking to build on its strong showing at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. The Philippines opens its Group B campaign against Cambodia at 5:30 p.m. in the tournament, which offers FIVB world ranking points. Defending first-leg champion Thailand faces Vietnam in the opening match at 2 p.m.
According to Philippines News Agency, Myanmar makes its tournament debut against Thailand on Thursday, while Alas Pilipinas takes on 2025 SEA V. League second-leg champion Indonesia on Friday. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, with the championship and bronze-medal matches scheduled for Sunday. Now in its fourth edition, the SEA V Cup features the region's top men's volleyball teams.
Alas Pilipinas will be led by FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship veterans Josh Yba±ez, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, and Vince Lorenzo under Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni. The roster also includes Jude Garcia, who helped the Philippines win the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
The tournament is hosted by Candon City Mayor Eric Singson with support from the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Asian Volleyball Confederation President Ramon "Tats" Suzara commended Candon City for hosting another major international volleyball event. "My heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Eric Singson and the local organizing committee for their outstanding efforts in staging this event," Suzara said in a news release Tuesday.
"Following the successful hosting of the AVC Volleyball Women's Cup, Candon City has once again demonstrated its capability and passion for delivering world-class international volleyball competitions." Singson said hosting the tournament for the second straight year reflects confidence in the city's ability to stage international sporting events while boosting sports tourism and the local economy. "It also provides Candon City the opportunity to represent the Philippines by sharing the warmth of Filipino hospitality while advancing sports tourism as a catalyst for economic growth, cultural exchange, and community development," he said.
