THE Philippines hosts the second of two legs of the inaugural Southeast Asia (SEA) VLeague men’s tournament from July 28 to 30 at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

The VLeague is a series for men and women indoor volleyball among the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam and is affiliated with the Southeast Asia Volleyball Association.

“The VLeague aims to further strengthen and develop men’s volleyball in the region,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the organizing Philippine National Volleyball Federation, which is coming off a successful hosting of the Men’s Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League in Pasay City early this month.

The four countries are almost in equal footing in terms of rankings in the International Volleyball Federation or FIVB. Vietnam is the best-ranked men’s team at No. 56, Thailand at No. 58 followed closely by the Philippines at No. 59 and Indonesia at No. 68.

The SEA VLeague—a brainchild of Suzara and Thailand federation president Shanrit Wongprasert—opened in Jakarta on Thursday (July 21) with the Philippines taking on Indonesia in its debut match.

The City of Santa Rosa leg—presented by PLDT and primarily supported by the City of Santa Rosa, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, One Sport, and Cignal—wraps up the single-round elimination competition.

A separate women’s series will also be staged from August 4 to 6 in Vihn Phuc, Vietnam, and from August 11 to 13 in Chiangmai, Thailand.

The schedule of matches are: July 28—Vietnam vs Indonesia at 4 p.m. and Philippines vs Thailand at 7 p.m.; July 29—Thailand vs Vietnam at 3 p.m. and Philippines vs Indonesia at 6 p.m.; and July 30—Thailand vs Indonesia at 3 p.m. and Philippines vs Vietnam at 6 p.m. (ai/mnm)