Philippine volleyball fans are getting a treat—and it comes with some of the best teams in the world.
The Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) returns to the Philippines for the first time in four years, with Philsports Arena in Pasig hosting Pool 5 of Week 2 starting Wednesday. The field is loaded. World No. 1 Italy tops the cast as the reigning VNL champion, but the team that arrives with the most momentum is Japan—unbeaten at 4-0 and carrying the kind of form that makes them the team to watch in Manila.
Italy and Japan Are the Headliners
Japan has been relentless through the early going. Skipper Mayu Ishikawa, Yoshino Sato, and Yukiko Wada have led the Silver medalists from the 2024 edition past France, Ukraine, Germany, and Canada without a loss. They are sharp, they are rolling, and they arrive as the form side of the Philippine leg.
Italy, meanwhile, comes in at 3-1—the lone blemish a loss to Brazil that snapped a three-match winning run over Bulgaria, Netherlands, and Türkiye. Ekaterina Antropova, Merit Adigwe, and Loveth Omoruyi have been the driving forces for the three-time VNL champions, and a healthy Italy remains among the favourites to reach the finals in Macau.
The United States—three-time champions and ranked seventh in the world—also enter at 3-1, as does world No. 13 Czechia. Serbia, ranked ninth, has managed just one win in four matches. The Dominican Republic, ranked 12th, is still searching for its first victory.
Asia’s Best Are Here as Well
Asia has three representatives in the 18-nation field. China, ranked sixth, enters Week 2 at 3-1. Thailand, ranked 24th, is still in search of its first win after four matches.
Wednesday’s schedule opens with the United States taking on the Dominican Republic at noon, followed by Czechia against Italy at 4 p.m., and Japan versus Serbia closing the evening at 8 p.m.
Each team plays 12 matches across the group stage, with the top eight advancing to the finals in Macau. The Philippine leg is one of multiple pool play hosts alongside Canada, Brazil, China, Türkiye, Thailand, Serbia, Hong Kong, and Japan.
For fans at Philsports Arena on Wednesday, the wait since the last women’s VNL visit four years ago is over. World No. 1 Italy. Unbeaten Japan. Three-time champions USA. It is a stacked field—and Manila gets a front-row seat.
