37 teams to compete in PNVF Challenge Cup

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s (PNVF) Challenge Cup will kick off on November 6 with 37 teams in a nearly three-week-long volleyball tournament.

The number of teams–with 20 squads in the men’s category and 17 in the women’s division–is proof of volleyball’s continued rise in the country, according to PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“This shows how active volleyball is at the developmental, LGU and school level. Volleyball could now rank as the No. 2 team sport in the country after basketball,” said Suzara in a press release.

“With such a big turnout, we’ll be having dozens of matches for almost three weeks of the competition.”

The Challenge Cup will see over 76 matches in the elimination round alone. 48 games will be played in the men’s division while 36  matches will be played in the women’s category.

The elimination round will begin on Monday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum while the quarterfinals are slated for November 20 for men and November 21 for women. The semifinals begin on November 22 while the finals will be played on November 23.

Plaridel (Quezon), Orion (Bataan), University of Batangas, University of Santo Tomas, Rizal Technological University (RTU)-Basilan and Savouge were confirmed to play in the men’s division.

Cignal, Davao City, Iloilo D’Navigators, VNS, Volida, Philippine Navy and Tacloban City and school teams Arellano University, University of the East, Jose Rizal University (JRU), Santa Rosa City, National University, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Marikina City will round out men’s play.

Over at the women’s side, Davao City, University of Batangas, Arellano University, Volida, Tacloban City, JRU, RTU-Basilan, Parañaque City, Philippine Air Force and Tagaytay City will compete.

Collegiate squads are also present in women’s play with De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, San Beda University, University of the Philippines (UP), UP Volleyball Club, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.