PASIG CITY — The Alas Pilipinas men’s and women’s volleyball teams are set to compete against top Japanese clubs this weekend at the PhilSports Arena, marking the official countdown to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, which the Philippines will host solo.
According to Philippines News Agency, newly elected president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation, the friendlies serve as a precursor to next year’s championship. The Alas Pilipinas Women’s team will take on Saga Hisamitsu Springs on September 7 at 3 p.m., followed by the men’s team facing Osaka Bluteon at 6 p.m. The teams will meet again the following day at the same times to conclude the exhibition matches, leading up to the championship draw on September 14 at the Solaire Resort Hotel. Tickets for the matches are available at Ticketmax.ph.
Suzara emphasized that preparations are fully underway for the world championship, highlighted by a year of promotional activities including a Trophy Tour across key Philippine cities. The tournament will feature a strong field of 32 teams, including back-to-back Olympic champion France and the world’s number one team, Poland. The Philippines, as host, automatically qualifies along with Italy, the reigning world champion.
The roster for the 2025 FIVB Championship was completed just before the one-year countdown began, with teams qualifying through last year’s continental championships and other international competitions. Notable teams include Slovenia, USA, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Iran, and Egypt among others. The final spots were claimed by a mix of teams from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
Philippine players Bryan Bagunas, Buds Buddin, and Josh Ybanez will lead the host team, while international stars such as Ran Takahashi and Yuki Ishikawa of Japan and Micah Christenson and Matt Anderson of the US are also expected to participate. France will rely on Jean Patry, hoping to maintain the core of its Olympic and Volleyball Nations League winning team, with Poland looking to star player Wilfredo Leon to keep them at the top of the world rankings.