The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Robert Andaya
Expect volleyball fireworks starting the fourth of July as world champion Italy and seven other countries take the floor for the 2023 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The seven other countries in the event scheduled July 4-9 are 2022 world championship runner-up Poland, 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Brazil, world No.8 Japan, No. 9 Slovenia, No. 12 Netherlands, No. 15 Canada and No. 25 China.
Italy and Brazil kick off hostilities on July 4 at 3 p.m., while Japan and China square off at 7 p.m.
This is the second time that the country is hosting the VNL and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara assured local fans of exciting world-class volleyball action.
“It’s going to be more intense and energetic this year. We hope fans and players will continue to support the VNL” said Suzara during the event launch at the Diamond Hotel last Monday.
“This is actually the third week of the VNL. It is the crucial part before the finals in Poland, so most of the countries are sending their best players, so we’re lucky to host the third week,” added Suzara.
Suzara said the Philippines will play friendly matches with the Netherlands and China as side events.
The closed-door friendly matches will be held either at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium or the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The friendlies are part of the team’s buildup for the upcoming AVC Men Challenger in Chinese Taipei next month, according to Suzara.
Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano also welcomed the opportunity to host the VNL.
“It is a great opportunity for us to be able to experience the volleyball league right in our home. Our thrust to become the first ever EcoCity comes with the vision of having athletics and sports as key activities to ensure physical health and wellbeing of our people,” said Calixto-Rubiano.
The foreign teams will be arriving starting on Sunday
Also present during the media briefing Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann; Arnel Gonzales, GM, SVP and Business Unit Head of SM MOA Arena; Hubert Guevara, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary; and George Reynoso, Rooms Division Manager of Diamond Hotel.