GAME SCHEDULE: Philippine women’s volleyball team in AVC Challenge Cup 2024

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine women’s volleyball team hopes to pull off some upsets as the country hosts the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup from May 22-29. 

Newly nicknamed Alas Pilipinas, the national team (world No. 63) takes on higher-ranked teams in Pool A, including last year’s bronze medalist Chinese Taipei (No. 44), Iran (No. 57), Australia (No. 59), and India (No. 62).

Pool B features tougher competition with last year’s champion Vietnam, runner-up Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Hong Kong mixing it up.

All games will be played at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. 

Here’s the Philippines’ schedule in the preliminary round: 

May 23, Thursday, 7 pm – Philippines vs Australia

May 24, Friday, 7 pm – India vs Philippines

May 25, Saturday, 7 pm – Philippines vs Iran

May 26, Sunday, 7 pm – Chinese Taipei vs Philippines

The Philippines will field a mix of veteran and collegiate standouts led by Jia de Guzman, Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Angel Canino, and Thea Gagate. 

Also in the roster are Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos, Julia Coronel, Jen Nierva, Fifi Sharma, and Cherry Nunag.

The tournament champion will secure a spot in the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup, where teams will fight for a berth in the elite Volleyball Nations League.

A second-tier event, the AVC does not include Asian powerhouses like China, Japan, and Thailand.

Here’s the complete tournament schedule:

 – Rappler.com