Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara confirmed that the country was chosen to host the elimination rounds of the FIVB VNL in June. 

Moreover, Suzara bares that the national team will get the chance to play some exhibition matches against world-class players and Olympic champions before the start of the hosting.

“This is part of my 10-point strategy to change the landscape of volleyball here in the Philippines by bringing world-class players and Olympic champions to our country,’’ Suzara told the Inquirer.

“This will really inspire our national team to be better because they will do some exhibition matches also before the start of the hosting,’’ Suzara continued.

The Philippine men’s national team will have the chance to suit up against Argentina and Germany in a pair of friendlies, while the women’s team will face Canada and either USA or Japan. 

“These are friendly matches to promote the VNL and, at the same time, it also gives quality competition to our national teams to improve our level to world-class,’’ added Suzara.

In the actual hosting of VNL, countries that are scheduled to compete in the men’s division from June 21 to June 26 are the United States, Czech Republic, Iran, Russia, Australia, Netherlands, Brazil, Japan, Canada, Argentina, Poland, Italy, Bulgaria, France, and Serbia.

Meanwhile, Brazile, United States, Germany, Poland, Canada, Japan, Korea, the Dominican Republic, China, Turkey, Belgium, Serbia, the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, and Thailand will see action in the women’s side of the VNL from June 14 to June 19.

Both divisions will play at Smart Araneta Coliseum, where fans are expected to be present.