The Philippines was drawn in Pool A in the 21st Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship which the country is hosting from August 29 to September 4.
The virtual draw was held at the Asian Volleyball Confederation office in Bangkok on Friday.
This developed as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved on Thursday the request of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation to host the Asian championships in Clark, Pampanga and Subic.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Friday that the country’s hosting of the tournament will be subject to strict compliance with health and safety protocols.
“We would like to thank the IATF and Malacañang for approving our request,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said, also citing the support of the Philippine Sports Commission and Rebisco and the Bases Conversion Development Authority headed by President and CEO Secretary Vince Dizon.
It was a favorable draw for the Filipinos, which is eyeing a top four finish in the continental tournament.
Making a comeback after missing the 2019 edition in Seoul, the Philippines found itself in a relatively light group with Chinese-Taipei, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Thailand and South Korea, podium finishers in the last two tournaments, are bracketed in Pool B, along with Iran and Australia.
Japan, which ruled the 2017 Biñan and 2019 Seoul editions, withdrew from this year’s competition.
The tournament also serves as part of the Asian qualifiers for the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship which the Netherlands and Poland are co-hosting, with the top two teams advancing.
The Philippine women’s volleyball team is currently in bubble training in Ilocos Norte for the Asian championships.
