THE Philippines’ four teams — the three PVL sides competing in the women's tournament, and Cignal-Alas Pilipinas over the men's side — have been drawn to their respective pools for the 2025 AVC Champions League.
In the women’s tournament to be held from Apr. 20 to 27 in Pasig City, 10-time PVL champion Creamline landed in Pool A with 31st-ranked Zhetysu VC from Kazakhstan and Al Naser Club from Jordan.
READ: Creamline eyes to bring back Erica Staunton for Champions League
Petro Gazz banners Pool B which features rank No. 45’s Taipower from Chinese Taipei and 60th-ranked Hip Hing Women’s Volleyball Team from Hong Kong.
PLDT may have been the most unlucky among the three competing over at the women's side after being drawn to Pool D which looking like the group of death as it competes with Thai champion Nakhon Ratchasima QminC and Australian champion Queensland Pirates.
READ: 3 PH teams now in AVC Champions League as PLDT joins Creamline, Petro Gazz
Meanwhile, Pool C being the only group without a Philippine team has China’s BAIC Motor Volleyball Club, Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An and a yet-to-be named Iran team.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the playoffs in a series of knockout matches en route to the finals for a spot at the 2025 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship.
Over in the men’s tournament, Alas Pilipinas Men will compete as Cignal in the 12-team conclave to be staged in Osaka and Kyoto in Japan.
Cignal-Alas was drawn to Pool B with Qatar’s Al-Rayyan Sports Club and host Japan’s Osaka Bluteon featuring global superstar Yuji Nishida.
Suntory Sunbirds Osaka (Japan), Shanghai Bright Volleyball Club (China) and Aqtobe VC (Kazakhstan) form Pool A.
Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima QminC, Chinese Taipei’s Taichung Bank and an Irani team are in Pool B.
Completing the men’s groups in Pool D are Qatar’s Al-Rayyan Sports Club, Vietnam’s Sport Training Center 3 and a Bahraini team.
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