ELITE volleyball action returns to Candon City as the region’s top six volleyball nations battle for supremacy in Week One of the Southeast Asian Volleyball Cup (SEA V Cup) starting Wednesday.

The core members of the Alas Pilipinas squad that made waves in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship will spearhead the country’s campaign in the tournament at the state-of-the-art Candon City Arena.

The Philippines opens its Group B campaign against Cambodia at 5:30 p.m. in the tournament, which offers FIVB world ranking points.

Thailand, the inaugural leg champion last year also held in Candon City, takes on Vietnam in the curtain-raiser at 2 p.m.

Myanmar makes its SEA V Cup debut against Thailand on Thursday in the regional competition hosted by Candon City Mayor Eric Singson and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

Alas Pilipinas then faces 2025 SEA V.League second-leg champion Indonesia on Friday.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, while the medal matches are set on Sunday.

This season marks the fourth staging of the tournament, which features the best volleyball teams in Southeast Asia.

All eyes will be on charismatic star Josh Ybanez and fellow FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship veterans Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, and Vince Lorenzo.

Alas Pilipinas, under Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni, will also feature Jude Garcia, a member of the Philippine beach volleyball team that won a bronze medal in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara praised Candon City, led by Singson, for its continued commitment to promoting volleyball at all levels.

“My heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Eric Singson and the Local Organizing Committee for their outstanding efforts in staging this event,” Suzara said.

“Following the successful hosting of the AVC Volleyball Women’s Cup, Candon City has once again demonstrated its capability and passion for delivering world-class international volleyball competitions.”

Singson, a staunch advocate of bringing top-level sporting events closer to fans, highlighted the importance of hosting international competitions to the city’s economy.

“Hosting this prestigious championship for the second consecutive year is another significant milestone for Candon City and reflects the confidence entrusted to us in staging international sporting events,” Singson said.

“It also gives Candon City the opportunity to represent the Philippines by sharing the warmth of Filipino hospitality while promoting sports tourism as a catalyst for economic growth, cultural exchange, and community development.”