Cagayan de Oro capped the three-city “Set Na Natin ’To Trophy and Mascot Tour” with a rousing weekend welcome for the upcoming 2025 FIVB Men’s World Volleyball Championship at SM Downtown CDO.
Alas Pilipinas pool member Elijah Kim and former volleyball standout-turned-actor and PBB housemate Dylan Ytorralde headlined the program, joined by official mascots Hataw and Koolog in delighting the Cagayan de Oro crowd.
The tour earlier made stops in Cebu and Laoag, where fans likewise gave an equally spirited reception to the championship’s trophy and mascots.
“We’re 12 days to Day 1 and we appreciate the warm and raucous reception for the world championship in this three-city tour,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the Asian Volleyball Confederation.
Present at the event were PNVF Mindanao Charter Member Alexander Adeva, head of the region’s volleyball association; Cagayan de Oro City Sports Office OIC Abby Cris Waga, representing Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy; and Department of Tourism Region 10 director Marie Elaine Unchuan, along with John Baclig, JM Delvo and Elvie Mae Amay, as well as SM Downtown CDO mall manager Paolo V Zulueta and mall marketing manager Bambi Ochavo-Ditona.
The world tilt officially kicks off next Friday, September 12, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Home team Alas Pilipinas faces Tunisia in a Pool A showdown at 6:00 PM, followed by a first-of-its-kind opening ceremony headlined by K-pop sensation BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebuana artist Karencitta.
The 32-nation world championship runs until September 28 at both the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with tickets available through the official website, https://www.philippineswch2025.com.
Alas Pilipinas, coming off a three-country European training camp, are now in the final phase of their build-up before whittling the 21-player pool to the official 14-man lineup.
