CANDON City started rolling out the red carpet for early birds Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Iran for the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Cup that starts Saturday at the Candon City Arena.

And life goes as a rejuvenated vigor cascaded down the Philippine volleyball community that only two days ago got aced by the International Volleyball Federation, or FIVB.

“Life goes on in volleyball and we’re here to help make sure the athletes and the programs are brought back to intense levels,” said Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Patò” Gregorion welcomed the development as the volleyball community braces for another chapter in its seesawing history—proof that the sport has dug deep into the Filipino fans’ consciousness.

“Sports must never sleep, there mustn’t be lulls,” Gregorio said.

Gregorio went further.

“Volleyball is coming of age—that really comes with challenges. But this is the most important time to support our national athletes,” he said. “No distractions. Play for the country with your hearts, Alas—PSC will always back you up.”

The national sports association Philippine National Volleyball Federation was ultimately suspended by the FIVB effective last Friday.

As a result, an FIVB Ad Hoc Committee was created to mind the country’s volleyball affairs although it’s expected that the POC, in collaboration with the PSC, will eventually take another “caretaker” role in the domestic affairs of the national federation.

The Alas Women is on status quo for the Candon City tournament hosted by Mayor Eric Singson and presented by the PSC, FIVB and Volleyball World and set to kick off from Saturday to June 14.

They are due in Candon City on Monday, after which teams from South Korea, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Australia, Vietnam and Lebanon will check in one after another.

“I welcome the 12 teams for the AVC Women’s Cup, it’s another renaissance moving forward for Philippine volleyball,” AVC president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.

The final composition of the Alas Pilipinas Women coached by Shaq de los Santos will be known during the preliminary inquiry this Friday.

After Candon City, elite volleyball action shifts to the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City from June 17 to 21 for Week 2 of the Women’s Volleyball Nations League featuring Japan, Italy, United States, Serbia, Dominican Republic and Czechia