PH hosts world women’s volley club tilt in October

THE POPULARITY of volleyball hereabouts is expected to reach its zenith this year when the country hosts the FIVB World Women’s Club Championship.

International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) executive committee member Stav Jacobi and Philippine Superliga president Ramon Suzara yesterday announced the staging of the prestigious tournament on Oct. 18 to 23 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Philippines last hosted a world volleyball event in 2000, when it staged the FIVB World Grand Prix, which Cuba won and made Brazilian star Leila Barros a household name here.

“This is the biggest club competition in the world, and we’re bringing in the best club teams to compete here,” said Jacobi.

The host country will be represented by the PSL in the eight-team event. Four slots will be allocated for wild cards.

Suzara said the timing is perfect since volleyball is experiencing a massive resurgence.

Top Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) officials, led by vice president Peter Cayco, as well as Peter Bratschi of Eventcourt, the co-organizer of the tournament, were also present at the contract signing.

“Philippine volleyball is experiencing a renaissance,” said Suzara, a member of the FIVB and chair of the marketing and development committee of the Asian Volleyball Confederation.

“But our athletes are experiencing international-level competitions only lately. The 2016 FIVB World Women’s Club Championship will be one, if not the biggest, of the major international tournaments we will be hosting.”

South American champion Rexona Ades Rio de Janeiro will vie along with Asian heavyweight Bangkok Glass and Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy.

Six PSL stars plus six foreign reinforcements will represent the Philippines.