Alas Pilipinas will join the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men’s Nations Cup on June 17-24 in Bahrain.
The Philippines, Qatar, Vietnam, Australia, and Kazakhstan make up Pool B in the draw held during the AVC Board of Administration Meeting hosted by AVC and Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara last Sunday at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.
Bahrain, Indonesia, and Thailand are in Pool A, while South Korea, Vietnam, and New Zealand compose Pool C.
Before going to Bahrain, the team will play in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals scheduled on June 10-12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum — a preparation for the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship that the Philippines is hosting on Sept. 12-28.
“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,” said Suzara.
The Philippines will also join the AVC Women’s Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam on June 7-14, drawn in Pool B with Iran, Indonesia, Mongolia, and New Zealand.
Host Vietnam, Australia, Indonesia, Chinese-Taipei and Hong Kong are in Pool A.
Meanwhile, the younger Alas Women will compete in the AVC Women’s U16 Championship on July 20-27 in Amman, Jordan.
The Philippines is bracketed in Pool B with Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Jordan, Lebanon, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong are in Pool A; China, Qatar, South Korea and Kazakhstan are in Pool C; while Chinese-Taipei, Thailand, Australia and India are in Pool D.
Also drawn were the groupings for the AVC Men’s U16 Championship in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand on July 12-19. The Philippines is not competing.
Suzara, who was elected president in August last year in Bangkok, said the AVC aims to continue the growth of the sport in the region under the guidance of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
AVC immediate past president Rita Subowo of Indonesia, secretary-general Hugh Graham of Cook Islands, executive vice presidents Mohamed Latheef of Maldives, Yuan Lei of China, Heyzer Harnoso of Indonesia, Ali Al-Kuwari of Qatar, female board member Hila Asanuma of Palau, treasurer Marina Tsui of Hong Kong and executive director Shanrit Wongprasert of Thailand were in the meeting along with PNVF vice president Ricky Palou and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal. (PNA)