The Philippines prepares to host the second leg of the groundbreaking Southeast Asia (SEA) VLeague men’s tournament from July 28 to 30. The City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna will be the battleground where four regional powerhouses, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, will vie for volleyball glory and regional supremacy.
The SEA VLeague is the brainchild of Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, and Shanrit Wongprasert, the esteemed president of Thailand’s volleyball federation.
“The VLeague aims to further strengthen and develop men’s volleyball in the region,” said Suzara as the PNVF is coming off a successful hosting of the Men’s Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League in Pasay City early this month.
With the participating nations almost equally ranked by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), the competition promises to be fierce and thrilling.
Vietnam holds the highest rank at No. 56, closely followed by Thailand at No. 58, the Philippines at No. 59, and Indonesia at No. 68. This closely contested tournament is expected to be a nail-biting display of skill, teamwork, and sheer determination.
The SEA VLeague opened in Jakarta on July 21, with the Philippine team going head-to-head against Indonesia in a momentous debut match. Fans were treated to intense volleyball action and a glimpse of the camaraderie that this tournament aims to foster.
Presented by PLDT and strongly supported by the City of Santa Rosa, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, One Sports, and Cignal, the City of Santa Rosa leg marks the culmination of the single-round elimination competition.
The SEA VLeague goes beyond just the men’s competition.
A separate women’s series is also in the pipeline, scheduled to take place from August 4 to 6 in Vihn Phuc, Vietnam, and from August 11 to 13 in Chiangmai, Thailand.
This inclusive approach further demonstrates the commitment of the organizers to promote gender equality in sports and to celebrate the athleticism of both male and female players.
The schedule of matches for the City of Santa Rosa leg is as follows:
- July 28: Vietnam vs. Indonesia at 4 p.m. and Philippines vs. Thailand at 7 p.m.
- July 29: Thailand vs. Vietnam at 3 p.m. and Philippines vs. Indonesia at 6 p.m.
- July 30: Thailand vs. Indonesia at 3 p.m. and Philippines vs. Vietnam at 6 p.m.
As the SEA VLeague men’s tournament sweeps through the Philippines, the nation prepares to welcome athletes, fans, and enthusiasts from across Southeast Asia.
