JAPAN puts its unbeaten streak on the line as the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men’s tournament is coming back to the Philippines.

With Pasay as host city, the Week 3 of the VNL will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on July 4 to 9.

Also competing are Italy, Poland, Brazil, Slovenia, Canada, the Netherlands and China.

Popularly known as Nippon, the Yuki Ishikawa-led Japanese have won their first four matches.

“The third week is the crucial part before the Finals. They sent the best players on the teams. We’re lucky dahil third-week tayo dito, before the Finals in Poland,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara during yesterday’s presser.

Teams will be arriving starting on Sunday.

Also present at the event were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto Rubiano, Mall of Asia Arena Head GM and SAVP Arnel Gonzales, and Diamond Hotel Rooms Division Manager George Reynoso.

The Philippine men’s national volleyball team members Marck Espejo, Jao Umandal, Steven Rotter and Ryan Ka also graced the press launch.

The squad will be holding closed-door exhibition matches against the Netherlands and China.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado