The Candon City Arena. PVL Media
MANILA -- Teams -- including Alas Pilipinas -- are set to begin arriving in Candon City on Monday for the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women's Volleyball Cup, which will push through despite recent events that shook up the local volleyball scene.
"Life goes on in volleyball," said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, after the FIVB suspended the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) last Friday over "serious governance concerns."
READ: FIVB suspends PNVF for 'serious governance concerns,' alleged violations of Code of Ethics
READ: After FIVB, POC also set to suspend embattled PNVF
The POC had followed suit on Saturday, confirming that they expect to suspend the PNVF when they convene in June. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), meanwhile, has reportedly frozen funding for the embattled federation.
"We're here to help make sure the athletes and the programs are brought back to intense levels," Tolentino stressed.
"Sports must never sleep, there mustn't be lulls," PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio said, for his part.
Because of the PNVF's suspension, the FIVB created an ad hoc committee to oversee the Philippines' volleyball affairs. It is expected, however, that the POC in collaboration with the PSC will take on a "caretaker" role.
In the meantime, it is status quo for the Alas Pilipinas Women, who are expected to arrive in Candon City on Monday ahead of the AVC Women's Cup that starts next Saturday.
READ: Veterans Valdez, Molina, Gonzaga lead 20-woman Alas pool for AVC Women’s Cup
Teams from South Korea, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Australia, Vietnam and Lebanon are also set to arrive in the city.
"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 team, coached by Shaq delos 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
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