Philippine volleyball gains full Palace backing

MANILA, Philippines – Malacanang has thrown its full support for five major international volleyball competitions the country is hosting for the second semester of the year, beginning with the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Challenge Cup that kicks off on Wednesday, May 22, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

In Memorandum Circular 49 dated May 13 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered “all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all local government units are encouraged, to extend full support to the Philippine hosting of volleyball and beach volleyball events in 2024.”

Besides the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has lined up the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Week Three from June 18-23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena; Volleyball World Challenger Cup from July 4-7 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium; Southeast Asia Volleyball League for Men and Women from August 13-25 at the City of Santa Rosa Sports Complex; and the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge from November 28 to December 1 at the Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land also in Santa Rosa.

“We are grateful to President Marcos Jr. and to Executive Secretary Bersamin for their support, which the PNVF believes would help further elevate Philippine volleyball to world-class level,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.

Ten countries are seeing action in the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup — Alas Pilipinas Women, Indonesia, Chinese-Taipei, Australia and Iran in Pool A and defending champion Vietnam, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan in Pool B.

The pool rounds on Wednesday pits Singapore against Kazakhstan at 10 a.m., Indonesia against Iran at 1 p.m., Vietnam against Hong Kong at 4 p.m. and Australia against Chinese Taipei at 7 p.m.

The Alas Pilipinas Women coached by Brazilian Jorge Edson Souza de Brito will see action against Australia at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

The Alas Women is composed of Fifi Sharma, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Jia Morado De Guzman, Eya Laure, Dell Palomata,