PH all set for VNL Women’s Week 2 hosting
FILE–A general view of the crowd during a game between Team USA and Japan in the VNL 2024 at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said it is all systems go for Volleyball Nations League Women’s Week 2 from June 17 to 21 at Philsports Arena.
The Philippines will host another major volleyball event following the AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City, with Suzara saying the country will continue focusing on women’s volleyball in preparation for the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
He also said plans are underway to bring the women’s VNL to Cebu next year after this year’s stop was moved to Philsports Arena, which has hosted several international events, including last year’s AVC Women’s Champions League. The venue is also known as the “House of Futsal” and currently serves as home to the PFF Futsaliga 2026 following Pasig’s hosting of the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.
Road to 2029 Worlds
“We will focus on women’s volleyball for the next three years,” said Suzara, who is also the FIVB Executive Vice President. “It was originally supposed to be held in Cebu, but the Seaside Arena wasn’t completed in time, so Cebu’s turn will likely be next year. Let’s support the tournament.”
“The reason we’re hosting the Women’s VNL for the next three years is to help prepare for the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship. This hosting directly supports the development of our women’s national team. Hopefully, things continue to improve,” he added.
Defending champion Italy, United States, fan favorite Japan, Czechia, Dominican Republic, and Serbia are among the teams set to compete in the Philippines.
“We have strong teams coming in. Italy will be here, Japan is playing very well right now, and Serbia remains a strong team even though I heard that Tijana Bošković may not be joining them. The Dominican Republic is still very strong as well,” said Suzara.
WATCH: AVC president Tats Suzara talks about Candon City’s hosting of the #AVCWomensCup and the upcoming Volleyball Nations League women in Pasig City next week. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/496dHrgf6u
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) June 11, 2026
“Czechia has already arrived and, I believe, has started training at Philsports. The United States will also be here. From what I’ve heard, the USA, Japan, and the Dominican Republic are bringing their first teams. Serbia is expected to bring its first team, although without Bošković. Italy may not be bringing its full first team, but we’ll see. Usually by the third week of the VNL, some injured players are no longer included in the lineup. Even so, these are still among the world’s top teams.”
The last time the country hosted the women’s VNL was in June 2022 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, featuring Japan, Poland, Canada, Thailand, China, Bulgaria, Belgium and the United States.
The Philippines also hosted three men’s VNL legs from 2022 to 2024 before staging the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship last year.
Suzara said he hopes for continued progress for Philippine volleyball, noting that the FIVB is scheduled to visit next week for the VNL and to assess the sport’s development in the country with the Philippine Sports Commission.
“We will be better. Volleyball here is still more political than basketball. We want volleyball to be better. I spoke to Ricky Palou despite what’s being said in the media. I don’t have social media. Let’s focus on events that will help our national teams,” he said.
“Our men’s team—I hope Bryan and Marck are coming because both teams are going to the Asian Games. We should put up the best teams for the Asian Games.”
