AWV Challenge Cup off the wraps
Games Today
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
10 a.m. — Singapore vs Kazakhstan
1 p.m. — India vs Iran
4 p.m. — Hong Kong vs Vietnam
7 p.m. — Australia vs Chinese Taipei
VIETNAM opens its title defense as it clashes with Hong Kong in the featured match of a heavy four-game bill ushering in the Asian Women’s Volleyball (AWV) Challenge Cup today at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Vietnamese will try to replicate their feat a year ago when they swept all their games to rule the event held in Gresik in East Java, Indonesia as they launch their campaign against the Hong Kong spikers set at 4 p.m.
Opening up hostilities in the eight-day meet is the 10 a.m. showdown between Singapore and Kazakhstan followed by the 1 p.m. duel between India and Iran, which finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in Indonesia last year.
Capping the day will be Australia against Chinese Taipei, who took the bronze last year.
Host Alas Pilipinas, coached by Jorge Souza de Brito of Brazil, will plunge into action tomorrow versus the Aussies at 7 p.m. with hopes of jumpstarting their campaign.
The Filipinas are bracketed in Pool A that includes Chinese Taipei, India and Iran while Pool B is composed of Vietnam, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The winner of this event will earn a spot to the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Challenger Cup that the country will also host from July 4 to 7 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
As host, Alas Pilipinas has earned a slot in the Women’s Challenger Cup, which will stake seats to the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League.
Despite the limited time to prepare, the country has formed the best team as it mixed battle-scarred vets like Jia de Guzman, Sisi Rondina, Cherry Nunag, Dawn Catindig and Dell Palomata with emerging stars Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma Jen Nierva and collegiate stalwarts Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel and Ara Panique. — Joey Villar
