Tats Suzara: Women’s VNL hosting key to Philippines’ buildup for 2029 World Championship

“The reason for having the Women’s (VNL) for the next three years is because of the hosting of the World Championship in 2029,” Suzara told reporters prior to Alas Pilipinas’ straight-set loss to Chinese Taipei at the Candon City Arena here.

The upcoming hosting later this month will mark the return of the women’s event in the country for the first time since 2022, when the Philippines hosted Pool B in the second week featuring Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Japan, Poland, Thailand, and the United States.

Since then, the Philippines has hosted the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League in 2023 and 2024, before taking a break from staging the event the following year due to its hosting duties for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.

“Women naman tayo ngayon for the next three years. It was supposed to be in Cebu, but hindi natapos ‘yung seaside arena, so next year na ‘yung Cebu,” Suzara said.

“We have Italy here coming, Japan — Japan is playing well now. We have Serbia, although I heard Boskovic is not there, but it’s still a strong team. Of course, the Dominican Republic is still strong. Czechia, they already arrived and I think nagti-training na sila sa Philsports. And one more team, USA,” he added.

Suzara said an FIVB delegation is set to arrive in the country next week to inspect the Philippines’ preparations for the VNL hosting, as well as assess the status of the local volleyball setup amid ongoing issues surrounding the suspended Philippine National Volleyball Federation.

“So ito nakaka-support sa women’s national team natin. But hopefully, things will be better. Hopefully, next week when the FIVB comes to check the status of volleyball here — they’re coming here next week during the VNL, and I think there will be some MOA signing between PSC and FIVB, so just be ready,” said the former PNVF chief.

He expressed hope that everything would be resolved smoothly, allowing full focus to shift toward the development and preparations of the national teams moving forward.

“We will be better. Ang volleyball kasi, masyadong mas ano pa eh, mas pulitika pa kaysa basketball eh. We want volleyball to be better. I spoke to Ricky Palou despite na maraming sinasabi sa media. Ako naman, wala akong social media,” Suzara said.

“Let’s focus on events that will help our national teams.”