By NIKOLE JAVIER
World No. 2 and 2021 champion Brazil takes on world No. 5 Italy as action in the crucial Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) kicks off on Tuesday, July 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos is set to make the ceremonial serve before Brazil and Italy open the hostilities at 3 p.m. in a showdown of Olympic finalists that saw the Brazilians prevail in three times they clashed.
The powerhouses have played in three gold medal matches in the Olympiad in the past two decades, beginning in Sydney 2000 followed by Athens 2004 in the next edition, with the recent in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
“Everyone is excited with the VNL men’s competition and we’re expecting more fans to march to the MOA Arena to witness thrilling world-class and high flying international men’s volleyball action,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Local fan favorite world No. 7 Japan and No. 25 China wrap up the opening-day double header at 7 p.m.
This marks the second consecutive year of the PNVF’s hosting of the VNL as part of its three-year contract with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the Volleyball World.
The Manila leg also serves as the final week of the VNL preliminary phase, with the teams jockeying for wins to make it to the top eight and advance to the final phase of the tournament from July 19 to 24 in Poland.
Aside from the First Lady, also expected to grace the opening ceremony in Pasay are are Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto Rubiano presented by Ganten, Gerflor, Mikasa, Mizuno, Senoh and Stake.com as global sponsor.
Other nations seeing action in Manila are world No. 1 Poland, No. 9 Slovenia, No. 12 The Netherlands and No. 15 Canada that have PLDT, Rebisco, Akari and the PSC as major sponsors of the event.
Meanwhile, The Netherlands and Canada are set to clash at 3 p.m. before Poland locks horns with Slovenia at 7 p.m. when it resumes on Wednesday, July 5.
The tournament’s Manila leg is also supported by Fitbar, Instax Fujifilm, Fitness First, Pasay City, Taguig City, Diamond Hotel, Maynilad, Peugeot, SM MOA Arena, The Look and The Moment Group with Cignal, Inquirer Group, RMN, DOOH, One Sports, One Sports+ and Mega Mobile as media partners.
Fans can secure their tickets at Ticketnet, with an exclusive VNL shirt given as a treat for every purchase of Patron Front Row and VIP On Court tickets.
