World Grand Prix returns to Manila

After two years, the World Grand Prix Women’s Volleyball Championships returns to the country next month with four of the world’s best teams once again expected to fire up Filipino fans with volleyball’s exciting action and the beauty and charm of some of the best players in the world.

Organized by the exclusive event manager, Arianworks Management Corporation in cooperation with the Philippine Amateur Volleyball Association, the event is slated to be held on July 19 to 21 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Sydney 2000 Olympics silver medalist Russia and bronze medalist Brazil, along with European champion Germany and Asian powerhouse Japan are the four teams participating in the Manila leg of this year’s World Grand Prix Women’s Volleyball series, which most of the teams are treating as part of their preparations for the Women’s World Championships this coming August.

Following brief opening ceremonies, Japan takes on Brazil and Russia battles Germany in the first day of the Manila leg on July 19. It’s Russia vs Japan and Germany against Brazil on July 20 with the final day on July 21 pitting Germany and Japan, and Brazil vs Russia.

Teams earn two Grand Prix points for a win and one point for loss.

The start of the preliminary rounds, to be hosted simultaneously by Tokyo, Japan and Chengdu in China, will be on July 12 to 14. The finals to be participated in by China plus the three teams with the most Grand Prix points after the preliminary rounds, will be held from Aug. 1 to 4 in Hong Kong.

The four other teams participating in the five other legs are China, Cuba, Thailand and the United States, which was last year’s overall champion.

A total of $1.04 million is up for grabs in the four-week-long, two legs per weekend event which will also have other preliminary rounds in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, Macau, and in Miau Li, Taiwan.

The World Grand Prix Women’s Volleyball Championships is made possible by the generous support of the event presentor, the New Pagcor in cooperation with San Mig Light, Agfa, the official film, Red Bull Energy Drink, the official energy drink, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Philippine Sports Commission. Other sponsors are Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, Dari Crème Light, St. Monique Valaise of Filmal Realty, Nextel Communications, Citibank, Viva Mineral Water, Kleenex Tissues, Kotex, Alaska Milk, Godiva, Linkman and the Philippine Tourism Authority and Café Provincal.