The Philippine Volleyball Federation made a bold move last year, as it decided to host the fourth edition of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup. It was held in Ninoy Aquino Stadium from July 4 to July 7. Argentina, Belgium, Czech Republic, Kenya, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sweden, and Vietnam vied for the two spots of the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League.
Philippines, a.k.a. Alas Pilipinas lost to Vietnam, the current Asian Challenge Cup winner, in straight sets in its opener. The Czech Republic outlasted the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team in the semifinals. The Czech side defeated Puerto Rico in the finals, nabbing one of the top spots. The other spot went to Belgium; the Belgian side may have finished fourth, but FIVB factored the current rankings of the eight teams. Belgium prevailed over Puerto Rico and Vietnam.
It wasn’t a bitter loss for Alas Pilipinas, as this experience was the beginning of an ambitious plan. Can the Philippines play in the Women’s Volleyball Nations League? Yes.
Volleyball has a large, if not rabid, following in the Philippines after hosting the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix many times. The FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League replaced the Grand Prix in 2018, another effort to make women’s volleyball more exciting and more rewarding to players and fans. China hosted the finals of the first three editions.
The pandemic forced FIVB to look for other venues. The upcoming 2025 season would see the expansion of the number of teams competing in this annual event, from 12 to 18. And FIVB decided to abolish the core and challenger steam statuses. It could make women’s volleyball more exciting.
Italy won their first Olympic gold medal in women’s volleyball in Paris, their offense too much for the defending champion USA. The Italian squad, led by Paola Egonu, is the reigning FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League champion. The Italian women are the favorites for the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship.
FIVB decided to expand the number of participating teams, from 24 to 32. The Philippine Volleyball Federation made another bid to host this major tournament, but they changed minds (and withdrew). It’s still a sign that the federation wants Alas Pilipinas to be a force in the sport. We see it happening.
Alas Pilipinas can look to Thailand, which has played in the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix since 2002. The only way to be the best in the field is to play against the best teams, so the grinding should make Alas Pilipinas a contender sooner or later. And fans of Alas Pilipinas can wait (Ilike what the Thai fans did).
The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix was created in 1993, which was patterned after the FIVB Volleyball World League. The former didn't become profitable like the latter, as most of the Grand Prix's major sponsors come from East Asia. Most of the matches were held in East Asia, with China hosting it on eight occasions.
The early years of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix saw the intense rivalry between Cuba and Brazil. The two volleyball powerhouses from the Americas didn't get to play against each other during the group stages of the 1994 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. Manila was one of the venues of the third round of the 1994 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, which was topped by South Korea.
Brazil defeated Cuba in the finals, which was held in Shanghai, China, winning their first FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. This annual tourney promoted women's volleyball, with a huge prize money to keep the top teams playing. The result didn't change the order in women’s volleyball, as Cuba beat Brazil in straight sets in the 1994 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship in São Paulo, Brazil.
The rivalry became heated after that finals, which culminated in a tense semifinal match between the two top teams in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Cuba came from behind, but the match didn’t end well. Mireya Luis, the captain of the Cuba belles, stands 5 feet and 9 inches. But she could leap high. No other volleyball player could block her attacks.
Manila was the host of the second round of the 1999 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix . It was a memorable leg because Brazil, Cuba, and Italy, all volleyball powerhouses, were competing for a spot in the finals in Yuxi, China. Brazil defeated Cuba in four sets. The latter didn't advance to the final four in Yuxi. Araneta Coliseum was the venue of the finals of the 2000 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, which was won by Cuba. Russia upset Brazil in the semifinals, denying fans of another close match between these two volleyball powerhouses from the Americas.
The 2002 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix marked the debut of Thailand. Quezon City hosted a leg one more time. Brazil was the winner of this leg. The Thai women may have finished in last place, but they qualified for the next edition and the next. The Thai women's volleyball team is one of the best teams in the world, almost qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Thais settled for third place in an Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Poland the year before. If the Thai women can do it, then why can't Alas Pilipinas. Politics can throw a curveball, but fans are hoping for Alyssa Valdez to join the team - and make her mark.
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