FANS can expect world-class volleyball anew this week as eight teams clash in the Philippine leg (Week 3) of the Volleyball Nations League men’s tournament starting today, Tuesday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Reigning Olympic champion France (world No. 7), fan-favorite Japan (No. 3) and USA (No. 5) headline the cast along with No. 4 Brazil, No. 11 Germany, No. 12 Canada, No. 13 The Netherlands and No. 17 Iran.
The VNL precedes the country’s first solo hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship next year.
“Volleyball has made huge strides in the country in the past few years and we strive to continue to perform,” Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the organizing Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), said in a press conference at the Makati Shangri La Hotel yesterday.
“We strike while the iron is hot and the PNVF is grateful to all those involved, our players who are the stars of the show, to those working behind the scenes from top national and team officials to the referees, to the tireless people in the sub-committees,” Suzara added.
France (No. 4), Japan (No. 5), Brazil (No. 6) and Canada (No. 7) are in the Top 8 of the VNL standings after two legs with reigning world champion Italy, Slovenia and Poland leading the race so far.
Germany, the USA, the Netherlands and Team USA are ranked 11th, 12th, 13th and 16th, respectively — making it an expected fiery action as they aim to climb the ladder going into the homestretch of the preliminary phase.
Team USA, led by 2023 VNL Best Setter Micah Christenson, will mark its Manila debut with high anticipation from local fans.
The Netherlands and Brazil clash at 5 p.m. today followed by the main game between Japan and Canada at 8:30 p.m.
Germany and France take to the court at 3 p.m. before the duel between the USA and Iran at 7 o’clock on Wednesday.
