THE Philippine Superliga formally opened the public selling of tickets on Sunday for the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena from Oct. 18 to 23.
PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara is bringing to the country the best club teams from Brazil, Turkey, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Thailand and the Philippines to collide for pride and glory.
Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga of RC Cola-Army, Kim Fajardo and Mika Reyes of F2 Logistics, Frances Molina and Jen Reyes of Petron and Jaja Santiago of Foton will banner PSL Manila, together with seven of the best players from Asia and Europe.
A noted Japanese mentor in Shin Takahashi will serve as a coach, while Ramil de Jesus of F2 Logistics and Sammy Acaylar of Cignal will serve as his deputies, guaranteeing transfer of technology from Olympic-level mentors to the local coaches.
Takahashi and the imports will arrive starting next week (Sept. 15) and will join local stars in a one-month training camp in preparation for the world’s biggest and most prestigious volleyball festival.
Suzara said tickets are now on sale at www.smtickets.com.
Ticket prices range from P215 for general admission section to P5,350 for VIP courtside section.
Season passes are also available for P10,700 each.
“Interest in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship continues to spike, so we have to start selling the tickets early,” said Suzara, a ranking official of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and the International Volleyball Federation.
“We have been getting a lot of inquiries not only from local fans, but also from international volleyball enthusiasts as well. Everybody wants to come to the Philippines to witness this world-class volleyball tournament. We’re expecting a full-house crowd from start to finish. This tournament will help boost tourism in our little way.”
PSL Manila will be facing Gabi, Juicely and Anne Bujis of 11-time Brazilian Superliga champion Rexona Ades on Oct. 18 followed by a showdown with Italian powerhouse Pomi Casalmaggiore on Oct. 19.
It will wrap up its pool play against Turkish side Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul, which is powered by a constellation of stars like Jordan Larson and Rachel Adams of United States, Thaisa Menezes of Brazil and Tijana Boskovic of Serbia.
Also seeing action are Bangkok Glass bannered by Southeast Asian superstars Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong and imports Ashley Frazier and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa, Volero Zurich of Switzerland, VakifBank Istanbul and Hisamitsu Springs, led by Japanese stars Miyu Nagaoka, Risa Shinnabe and Yuki Ishii.