The stage is now set for 16 of Asia’s best volleyball clubs to battle for the title in the PLDT HOME Fibr 2014 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship (AMCC).
Led by PLDT HOME Fibr, kick-o ceremonies at the Alphaland City Club in Makati City officially broke the event last April 7 with a Filipinotheme to treat foreign guests to the country’s local flavor.
“We’re excited with holding the Asian championships here,” said Gary Dujali, VP and head of PLDT HOME Broadband. “Volleyball is a popular sport in the country, and to be able to bring in all these top-caliber athletes to watch upclose is going to be a treat to fans. We’re live streaming the games with TVolution so that subscribers can watch the action at the comfort of their home.”
In attendance during the opening were organizers and participants from the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), some members from the diplomatic community, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia, former PSC chief and AMCC organizing committee chairman Philip Ella Juico, Philippine Superliga president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) president Karl Chan and PVF secretarygeneral Otie Camangian.
Also present were Asian Volleyball Confederation chairman Hyungbin Yim and his entourage; Senoh Equipment-Japan president Tetsuyah Ozaki; Senoh Equipment-Japan International marketing manager Masahiro Masuoka; and first VP and head of PLDT Finance and Controllership Chaye Cabal-Revilla.
PLDT HOME Fibr joined hands with foreign and local officials, PVF, Sportscore, Mikasa, Gerflor-Spurway, Senoh Equipment, Healthway Medical Services and Maynilad to ensure a high level of execution throughout the tournament.
All games by the local squad, also known as the PLDT HOME TVolution Philippine Team, will be streamed live on TVolution and televised live on TV5, the official broadcast partner of the AMCC. Fibr subscribers may get a season pass to catch the action as it happens at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The tournament has also tapped with Magic 89.9, Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, Play 99.5, and KLite 103.5 as its radio partners.
“The games are going to be a good barometer for our local boys,” said Suzara. “They’re very good but they’re going against some season vets. I’m hoping the home court to our advantage.”
Other teams participating are seven-time champion Iran, Iraq, Mongolia, Japan, Lebanon, Vietnam, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Oman, Hong Kong, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Papua New Guinea, Chinese Taipei and China.
The competition runs until April 16. Whoever emerges from the championship will represent Asia in the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Club World Championship in Brazil in May.