TWO years since their first scheduled matchup was called off, the new-look Alas Pilipinas will now have its first crack at a global powerhouse in its forthcoming friendly game with world No. 4 Japan.
The fan-favorite Ryujin Nippon side led by superstar trio Yuki Ishikawa, Ran Takahashi and Yuji Nishida will meet the 57th-ranked Alas' homegrown aces in Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo and Jau Umandal for the first time on June 15 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
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Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara bared plans to stage the long-awaited match during the launch of the national volleyball teams' official moniker on Wednesday.
"We have a friendly match with Japan on June 15 at the PhilSports Arena," said Suzara. "“I hope with us participating in more competitions, we can go up to the top 30 (in the world)."
Back in 2022, a friendly between the two countries was slated at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan under the same circumstances in which it will take place this year: a pre-tournament friendly for Japan before the Manila leg of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
The match was supposed to be the main installment of the 2022 PNVF International Challenge, but was then scrapped due to 'health and safety protocols' in the aftermath of the pandemic.
A last stop for Japan before VNL Manila
This time around, Japan will return to the Philippines for a third straight year for the VNL but will do so for the first time as the tournament's reigning bronze medalists.
No further details were given in terms of whether the match will be open to the general public or will take place behind closed doors.
For Alas Pilipinas, however, playing against a global powerhouse like Japan will be its first acid test in the lead-up to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship to be hosted by the Philippines in September next year.
Under the tutelage of Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso, Alas looks to make the most of roughly a year's worth of preparations before taking on the world's best in next year's global showpiece on home soil.
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