PNVF bidding to host world joust

MANILA, Philippines — As the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Philippine swing came to an end with flying colors, another world-class showpiece in Manila could be on the horizon.

The Philippines, which hosted a VNL leg for the second straight year, will bid for the hosting rights of the prestigious 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) yesterday announced.

PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara will present the country’s bid on July 21 in Gdansk City in Poland, where the eight-team VNL finals will be held, with hopes of bringing home the good news.

“I feel that we’re a strong contender,” said Suzara in a press conference at the sidelines of the VNL Philippine leg that served as the final and crucial preliminary phase to determine the eight finalists.

“I’ll fight for it, especially the finals to be played here and the 16 teams for group phase. It will depend if there will be co-hosts but I’ll fight for the finals here.”

The bidding winner will be rewarded an automatic ticket to the 32-team world championship, making the Philippines – if ever – an outright participant for the first time since the 1974 edition in Mexico.

Other countries in contention are Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Indonesia as the Philippines is also looking to become the first Southeast Asian country to host the world volleyball joust.

Helping the country gain traction for its bid is the successful hosting of the VNL men’s tournament  at the Mall of Asia Arena with Canada scoring a crucial 23-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 win over China to avoid a potential relegation.

Stephen Timothy Maar and Ryan Joseph Sclater fired 20 points each as Canada finished its campaign at 3-9 ahead of Iran (2-9), Bulgaria (2-9), Cuba (2-9) and China (2-10).

“It’s a huge win. We needed this to stay in the VNL. To win this game and put everything on the line to save ourselves was intense and very emotional,” said Maar.

Later, Slovenia slammed the door on the Netherlands’ final hopes with a 25-20, 32-30, 25-22 win.

Slovenia, led by Tine Urnaut’s 14 points, finished at No. 7 with an 8-4 slate as the Netherlands stumbled to ninth at 5-7, including a dismal 1-3 campaign in the crucial Philippine leg.