The 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women will be held this May in the Philippines, with the hosts drawn in Pool A. The men's edition will be held next month in Bahrain, with the Philippines drawn in Pool A.
What is the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup?
This serves as the Asian Volleyball Confederation's qualification tournament for the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup.
Originally, the Asian tournament was held every two years. Starting from the 2023 edition, the competition was changed to take place annually to serve as a qualifier for the FIVB Challenger Cup.
Take note that the AVC Challenge Cup is different from the Asian Volleyball Championship and the Asian Volleyball Cup.
What makes the AVC Challenge Cup significant?
The winner of the AVC Challenge Cup qualifies for the FIVB Challenge Cup. And the eventual winner of that tournament earns the right to compete in the Volleyball Nations League.
The 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women
Two weeks ago, ten teams confirmed their participation for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women, which would take place from May 22 to 29 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Philippines would be the hosts. They would be joining third seed Chinese Taipei, fourth seed India, fifth seed Iran, and sixth seed Australia in Pool A.
Meanwhile, top seed and 2023 winner Vietnam, along with second seed Indonesia were drawn in Pool B along with Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Alas Pilipinas - Philippine women's national volleyball team pool
On Wednesday, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) unveiled the new moniker for the national volleyball teams--Alas Pilipinas.
In the same press conference, the pools for both the women's and men's team for the AVC Challenge Cup were unveiled.
The 14-person pool for the women's national volleyball team consists of PVL veterans and UAAP standouts.
Multi-titled setter Jia de Guzman and high-flying spiker Sisi Rondina confirmed their participation for the Philippines in the tournament.
[ALSO READ: ‘Isang karangalan’ | Sisi Rondina thrilled to team up with Jia De Guzman in Philippine national team]
Also part of the call-up are Eya Laure and Jennifer Nierva of Chery Tiggo, Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili-Catindig of Cignal, Dell Palomata of PLDT, Cherry Nunag of Choco Mucho, and Akari's Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos.
They will be bolstered by UAAP superstars in DLSU Lady Spikers' Angel Canino, and NU Lady Bulldogs' Bella Belen.
Also joining the pool are Canino's teammates Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, as well as national team returnee Alyssa Solomon of NU.
[ALSO READ: Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Casiey Dongallo bolster Philippine women's national volleyball team for AVC Challenge Cup]
In 2023, the Philippines fielded in a mix of PVL core from the Akari Chargers and the Petro Gazz Angels, along with reinforcements from the Ateneo Blue Eagles. They finished seventh with a victory against India and Uzbekistan.
2024 AVC Challenger Cup for Men
The men's edition will take place from June 2 to 9 in Bahrain.
The Philippines has been drawn in Pool A, along with China and the hosts and 2023 runner-up Bahrain.
Last year's winner Thailand is in Pool B along with Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
Third-ranked Korea is in Pool C with Indonesia and Qatar.
While fourth seed Vietnam is in Pool D with Australia and Chinese Taipei.
Alas Pilipinas - Philippine men's national volleyball pool
Returning to national team duties are Cignal's Bryan Bagunas and Jau Umandal, along with Criss Cross' Marck Espejo, as shared by national team manager Jerome Guhit to reporters on Wednesday.
The superstar trio will be joined by the core of Cignal stalwarts in JP Bugaoan, Mark Calado, Lloyd Josafat, and Vince Lorenzo.
Also part of the pool are Criss Cross middle blocker Kim Malabunga, and NU standouts Owa Retamar, Nico Almendras, Jade Disquitado, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Choi Diao, Leo Ordiales, and Joseph Bello.
Josh Ybañez and Sherwin Umandal of UST, Noel Kampton and Menard Guerrero of La Salle, and Louie Ramirez of Perpetual, and Adrian Villados of Arellano were also called up for national duties.
[ALSO READ: Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Jau Umandal headline Philippine men’s national team pool for AVC Challenge Cup]
Where are volleyball powerhouses?
China, Japan, Thailand, and Korea are not included in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women since they were already through to the 2025 Volleyball Nations League.
Likewise, Japan, Iran will already participate in the men's edition of the VNL.
Where will the AVC Challenge Cup air?
May 23: Philippines (63) vs Australia (59)
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7:00 p.m. LIVE on One Sports | One Sports+ | Pilipinas Live app
May 24: Philippines (63) vs India (62)
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7:00 p.m. LIVE on Pilipinas Live app
- 11:30 p.m. telecast on One Sports
May 25: Philippines (63) vs Iran (57)
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7:00 p.m. LIVE on One Sports | One Sports+ | Pilipinas Live app
May 26: Philippines (63) vs Chinese Taipei (44)
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7:00 p.m. LIVE on One Sports | One Sports+ | Pilipinas Live app