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The stage is set for the return of import action in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) as the 2025 Reinforced Conference fires off on October 7, featuring 12 professional teams eager to battle for supremacy.

At Thursday’s press launch in Pasig, PVL president Ricky Palou said fans can expect a heightened level of competition with foreign reinforcements joining the fray. 

“It’s going to be more competitive than usual because it’s Reinforced. We still have to see the caliber and skills of the imports, but whoever wins the championship, it’s anybody’s game.” Palou said. 

The tournament will conclude by the end of November to give way to the Philippines’ participation in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Imports Ready to Shine

All squads have retooled their lineups with international talents aiming to spark deep runs this conference:

Creamline: American spiker Courtney Schwan seeks redemption after back-to-back bronze finishes.

PLDT High Speed Hitters: Russian ace Anastasiia Bavykina leads their title defense.

Galeries: Montenegrin standout Jelena Cvijovic returns.

Nxled: Spanish hitter Paola Martinez Vela joins the lineup.

Akari Chargers: American Annie Mitchem bolsters their attack.

Capital1: Ukrainian Oleksandra Bytsenko leads the charge.

Chery Tiggo: Cuban veteran Yunieska Robles Batista powers their campaign.

Choco Mucho: American Anyse Marlee Smith joins the roster.

Cignal: Greek attacker Eva Chantava boosts their offense.

Farm Fresh: Belgian power hitter Helene Rousseaux strengthens the team.

Zus Coffee: American Anna DeBeer joins the squad.

Streamlined Tournament Format

Teams are divided into two pools and play a single round-robin within groups.

Top three teams per pool advance to the second round, facing only the bottom three squads of the opposite pool.

Rankings follow the FIVB system: total wins, match points, set ratio, and point ratio.

After the second round, all teams are re-ranked (1–12). The bottom four are eliminated, while the top eight move to the knockout quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches will all be one-game, do-or-die battles.

With powerhouse imports, revamped rosters, and a format designed for unpredictability, the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference is shaping up to be one of the league’s most competitive showdowns yet.

Alas Pilipinas Men are ready to make history as the Philippines hosts the FIVB Men’s World Championship for the first time. 

The national volleyball team, led by star spiker Marck Espejo, expressed excitement at the recent Media Day held at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila.

“It’s an honor to be part of this historic event. We’re excited to play and show the level and brand of Philippine volleyball in the world stage,” Espejo said.

The team’s preparations included a European training camp and a home tune-up against Portugal. 

“Sa matagal naming pagsasama sa Europe, nakila po namin lalo ang isa’t isa. Ready na po kami maglaro para sa bayan. Pangakong gagawin po namin ‘yung best namin hindi lang basta makadikit o makakuha ng set pero para manalo ng games.” Espejo added

Organizers expect over 10,000 fans to fill the Mall of Asia Arena for the September 12 opener, where the Philippines will face Tunisia. K-pop group BoyNextDoor will also perform during the opening festivities.

With preparations complete and national pride on the line, Alas Pilipinas Men are fired up to compete on volleyball’s biggest stage.

This also highlights their excitement, recent training, and the significance of the upcoming tournament.

PNVF President, Ramon “Tats” Suzara also leads heads the world championship’s Local Organizing Committee co-chaired by Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, explaining Alas’ first pre-event for the world stage was a visit at the National Museum. 

Alas, led by team captain Bryan Bagunas and veteran ace Marck Espejo, roamed around the museum for over an hour to take a trip down memory lane in 12 permanent galleries that exhibit the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines.

“We are days away from history. Let’s make this happen and show the world that the Filipinos are one of the best fans in the world,” Suzara said.

The Philippines is set to become the epicenter of world volleyball as the FIVB Men’s World Championship unfolds from September 12 to 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Elite at its highest level,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara, as he welcomed the arrival of powerhouse teams.

Headlining the tournament are World No. 1 Poland, reigning world champion Italy, Olympic gold medalist France, and perennial powerhouse Brazil.

Poland, led by VNL MVP middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski and star spiker Wilfredo Leon, reclaimed the FIVB’s top ranking after sweeping Italy in last month’s VNL Finals. 

France, two-time Olympic gold medalists, are favored with Paris Games MVP Earvin Ngapeth at the helm, aiming for redemption after a quarterfinal exit in 2022.

Defending world champion Italy will count on Simone Giannelli (VNL Best Setter) and rising star Alessandro Michieletto (Best Outside Spiker), while Brazil’s stacked lineup—featuring Alan Souza, Ricardo Lucarelli, Mathias Bispo dos Santos, and veteran setter Bruno Fernando—looks to improve on their previous bronze finish.

With 32 nations vying for glory, Manila is primed for world-class action and historic volleyball showdowns as the sport’s elite chase the ultimate crown.

With just 32 days to go until the historic FIVB 2025 Men’s World Championship, preparations are in high gear. 

From the PNVF and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to major government agencies—led by Malacañang and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)—everyone is working together to deliver a world-class volleyball event on home soil.

“Everything is on track when it comes to preparedness,” PNVF president Tats Suzara assured the public.

Also in attendance was Vinny Marcos, co-chair of the LOC alongside Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, as excitement builds for the September 12–28 global showdown at Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

“It’s going to be busier weeks ahead of us with all agencies working hand in hand,“We’re thankful to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza and son Vinny, who is part of the LOC, and the FIVB for helping us.” Suzara added. 

PLDT High Speed Hitters had to be rescued from their training facility along G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City after heavy rains from the southwest monsoon (habagat) left the flood-prone area submerged yesterday, Monday.

The team was stranded inside their gym since the afternoon, passing the time with meals and an improvised karaoke session while waiting for help. At around 9 p.m., the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Army arrived, safely evacuating players and staff via rescue boats.

“Maraming salamat po to our Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Army and our volley friends who assisted in rescuing our High Speed Hitters out of the Araneta Avenue area. We know your night is far from over and there are more people to help. We hope and pray you all return home safely. Again, thank you so much!”  the team expressed on social media. 

About an hour after the rescue, several players took to Instagram to share updates and further gratitude to their rescuers.

PLDT is scheduled to fly out in a few days for the Cebu City leg of the 2025 PVL on Tour, where they’ll put their unbeaten record on the line against co-league leader Nxled (July 26) and Galeries Tower (July 27).

Alas Pilipinas Men are expected to be at full strength with the anticipated return of star spikers Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas just in time for the country's hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship this September.

Bagunas, who has been sidelined for nearly a year due to a left knee injury suffered during the 2024 SEA V.League against Indonesia, is steadily progressing in his recovery. Meanwhile, Espejo sustained a left ankle injury during the 2025 AVC Nations Cup loss to Pakistan in June.

Both captains are optimistic about their recovery timelines and are aiming to be match-ready by the time the world championship kicks off.

“Okay naman po. Every day rehab at naka-recover naman na po,” said Espejo. “Target ko po talaga is maging 100 percent sa darating na World Championship.”

Bagunas shared similar confidence. “On track naman yung therapy ko. This week, may hop test na ko so malalaman na kung makakapag-full training na ako with Alas.”

Despite their individual recoveries, Espejo acknowledged that the team still has a long way to go before contending with the world’s best.

“Honestly speaking po, super layo pa talaga. Pero yun nga, one day at a time, one tournament at a time. Ibibigay namin yung pinaka-maximum potential ng team na hopefully, mailabas namin,” he added.

The return of Espejo and Bagunas brings a massive boost to the national team’s morale and competitiveness as the Philippines hosts the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship for the first time, with hopes of making a strong impression on the global stage.