Germany vs PH men’s volleyball team exhibition game canceled

Germany in the VNL. –VOLLEYBALL WORLD

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine men’s volleyball team’s exhibition match against Germany has been scrapped after the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) participant begged off due to the grueling schedule of the tournament’s Quezon City leg.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Wednesday has canceled its remaining side event called the “International Challenge” set on Monday next week at San Juan Arena.

“The exhibition match between the Philippine team and Germany scheduled on Monday, June 27, at FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City won’t push through,” the federation wrote. “Germany said it needed to rest its players from the grueling Week 2 hostilities of the VNL.”

Germany will make its VNL Week 2 debut against Italy on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Germans, who won three of their first four matches in Ottawa, Canada leg, will play three straight matches, facing China on Thursday and Netherlands on Friday, before they wrap their campaign against France on Sunday.

After its Quezon City stint, Germany flies to Osaka, Japan set from July 5 to 10 for Week 3.

The Philippine men’s volleyball team won’t play any international friendly match after its scheduled exhibition against Japan last June 16 was canceled due to health and safety protocols.

The women’s national squad, on the other hand, had two exhibition matches against Thailand and Japan last June 11 and 12, respectively.