Alas Pilipinas women during the FIVB Challenger Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas men’s and women’s squads battle Japanese clubs in international friendlies on September 7 and 8 at Philsports Arena.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Wednesday announced that it is bringing the top Japanese club teams to Manila next week as part of the one-year countdown for the country’s hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
Alas men’s, which recently won back-to-back bronze medals in the SEA V.League in Manila and Indonesia, is taking on the team of Japanese national team star Yuji Nishida, the Osaka Bluteon.
READ: Alas Pilipinas men rally past Vietnam for 2nd SEA VLeague bronze
The men’s national volleyball team, now under two-time Olympian and World Champion coach Angiolino Frigoni, is preparing for its historic participation in next year’s World Championship.
The Italian coach will continue to bank on SEA V.League two-time Best Outside Spiker Buds Buddin, 1st leg Best Middle Blocker Kim Malabunga, Owa Retamar, Louie Ramirez, Noel Kampton, Jade Disquitado, and libero Josh Ybañez.
FILE–Alas Pilipinas men during the SEA VLeague.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The team will continue to miss Bryan Bagunas, who injured his knee in the SEA V.League first leg, and Marck Espejo due to his commitment to his Japan V.League club, Kubota Spears.
The women’s team, which also won back-to-back bronze in the SEA V.League, is also taking on Saga Hisamitsu, led by former Olympian Miyu Nagaoka.
READ: Alas Pilipinas bags second straight bronze in SEA VLeague
Alas women’s coach Jorge Souza De Brito is parading Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Faith Nisperos, Jema Galanza, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Jennifer Nierva, and Julia Coronel.
The nationals, though, will miss the services of captain Jia De Guzman, who is already in Japan for her second season with the Denso AiryBees.
Both game days will be a doubleheader with the women’s game kicking off the festivities at 3 p.m., followed by the men’s match.
The World Championship will also hold its draw in Manila next month, followed by a trophy tour.