Alas Men gear up for overseas training camp ahead of World Volleyball Championships

MANILA, Philippines – With nine months to go before the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025, Alas Pilipinas Men aim to sharpen their skills through various overseas training camps in Asia and Europe. 

“There’s a training camp for them in Japan, we also have a training camp in Portugal, in Spain, and in Italy,” Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara told reporters on Thursday, January 9.

“My target here is that for them to stay outside of the Philippines for the next three or four months, and then return for the 100-days-to-go preparations around June,” he added. 

Aside from the training camp, the PNVF plans to arrange a pocket tournament pitting the lowest seed of the World Championships against Korea, Japan, and one European team.

It will serve a double purpose as the tournament will be a test event ahead of the biennial sporting spectacle.

The World Championship will be kickstarted by Alas Men and African champion Tunisia on September 12, 7 pm, at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Philippines will also face Egypt and Iran in its group. 

The historic Araneta Coliseum will serve as the second venue, with Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, and the PhilSports Arena in Pasig also hosting games.

Japan donates equipment for grassroots development 

Also on Thursday, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines turned over slightly used volleyball equipment such as balls, nets, and poles to the PNVF in the latter’s new office in Taguig as part of the East Asian country’s sport diplomacy program dubbed “Sport for Tomorrow.”

Japanese Embassy Minister and Consul General Hanada Takahiro led the turnover, which was in turn symbolically received by Alas Pilipinas players EJ Casaña, Vince Lorenzo, Dawn Catindig, and Thea Gagate.

“With the sport seeing record-breaking attendances and emerging talents, I believe our cooperation comes at an exciting time for volleyball’s culture,” Hanada said in a speech.

“We eagerly take this opportunity to support the Philippines’ emerging volleyball scene… We are proud to have this equipment in the hands of young and eager Filipinos,” Hanada added. 

The PNVF, which is also headed by Suzara, said that around 300 indoor and beach volleyballs will be distributed throughout the archipelago in the federation’s grassroots program. – Rappler.com