Alas Pilipinas will have their work cut out in the volleyball tournament of the 20th Asian Games after both the men’s and women’s national teams were drawn into challenging groups for the continental meet in Nagoya-Aichi this September.
The Philippine women’s team was placed in Group B alongside regional powerhouse China and Kazakhstan, setting up an early test against two higher-ranked opponents in its bid to advance.
The men’s squad, meanwhile, landed in a stacked Group D featuring China, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei—making every preliminary-round match crucial for its hopes of progressing in the tournament.
The draw comes as both national teams continue their preparations for the Asian Games. Alas Pilipinas Men are currently competing in the second leg of the 2026 SEA Men’s V Cup, while the women’s squad is set to begin its own campaign later this month.
Who Will Alas Men and Women Face?
In the women’s division, host Japan headlines Group A together with Indonesia and Nepal. Group C is bannered by Thailand, which will face Chinese Taipei, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia, while Group D features Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Qatar.
On the men’s side, world No. 4 Japan leads Group A, which also includes Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Iran heads Group B alongside Indonesia, Thailand, and Kyrgyzstan, while Group C is composed of Qatar, India, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
The group stage is expected to serve as an early measuring stick for both Philippine squads as they look to challenge Asia’s volleyball powerhouses and contend for a place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 Asian Games.
