AWV Challenge Cup explained

Games today
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
10am – Singapore vs Kazakhstan
1:00 PM – India vs Iran
4:00 PM – Hong Kong vs Vietnam
7pm – Australia vs Chinese Taipei

VIETNAM opens its title defense as it clashes with Hong Kong in the main match of a tough four-match schedule that kicks off the Asian Women’s Volleyball (AWV) Challenge Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum today.

The Vietnamese will look to repeat their performance from a year ago when they won all their matches to rule the event in Gresik in East Java, Indonesia, as they launch their campaign against the Hong Kong spikers at 4pm.

The start of hostilities during the eight-day encounter will be the 10am clash between Singapore and Kazakhstan, followed by the 1pm clash between India and Iran, who finished fourth and fifth respectively in Indonesia last year.

The day ends with Australia against Chinese Taipei, which won bronze last year.

Hosts Alas Pilipinas, coached by Brazil’s Jorge Souza de Brito, will be in action against the Aussies tomorrow at 7pm in the hope of kick-starting their campaign.

The Philippines are included in Pool A, which consists of Chinese Taipei, India and Iran, while Pool B consists of Vietnam, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The winner of this event will earn a spot in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Challenger Cup, which the country will also host at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium from July 4 to 7.

As hosts, Alas Pilipinas earned a berth in the Women’s Challenger Cup, which opens up seats for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League.

Despite limited time to prepare, the country has fielded the best team by combining veterans like Jia de Guzman, Sisi Rondina, Cherry Nunag, Dawn Catindig and Dell Palomata with rising stars Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma Jen Nierva and fellow colleagues Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel and Ara Panique. – Joey Villar