PNVF Challenge Cup kicks off on November 6

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation is set to kick off the PNVF Challenge Cup on November 6 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with a total of 37 teams expected to compete.

“This is the biggest local volleyball tournament that will help highlight the season-long activities of the federation,” said PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

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

With 20 squads in the men's division and 17 in the women's side, the Challenge Cup will hold the eliminations round from November 6 to 9 and 13 to 19 while the quarterfinals is slated for November 20 and 21. The semifinals will be on November 22 while the championship games are pencilled in on the 23rd.

“This shows how active volleyball is in the developmental, LGU and school level,” Suzara added.

“Volleyball could now rank as the No. 2 team sport in the country after basketball.”

The men's division include: Plaridel (Quezon), Orion (Bataan), University of Batangas, University of Santo Tomas, Rizal Technological University (RTU)-Basilan, Savouge, Cignal, Davao City, Iloilo D’Navigators, VNS, Volida, Philippine Navy, Tacloban City as well as school teams Arellano University, University of the East, Jose Rizal University (JRU), Santa Rosa City, National University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and Marikina City.

Meanwhile in the women's division, listed are Davao City, University of Batangas, Arellano University, Volida, Tacloban City, JRU, RTU-Basilan, Parañaque City, Philippine Air Force, Tagaytay City, 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.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News