Elite volleyball returns to the City of Candon as the top six volleyball nations in the region battle for honors in Week One of the Southeast Asian Volleyball Cup (SEA V Cup) starting on Wednesday.

The core of the Alas Pilipinas squad who made waves at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship in 2025 are back to lead the country’s campaign in the tournament at the state-of-the-art Candon City Arena.

The Philippines battles Cambodia at 5:30 p.m. to start Group B play in the tournament that carries FIVB world ranking points.

Thailand, champion in the first leg last year also in the City of Candon, plays in the curtain-raiser at 2 p.m. against Vietnam.

Myanmar makes its debut against Thailand on Thursday in the regional competition hosted by Candon City Mayor Eric Singson and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

Alas Pilipinas battles 2025 SEA V. League second leg champion Indonesia on Friday.

The top two teams from each pool advance to the semifinals on Saturday, with the medal matches set Sunday.

This season marks the fourth staging of the tournament featuring the region’s top teams.

Eyes will be on the charismatic Josh Ybañez and fellow FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship veterans Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez and Vince Lorenzo.

Alas Pilipinas, coached by Angiolino Frigoni of Italy, now also features Jude Garcia, a member of the Philippine beach volleyball team that bagged bronze in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

Candon City Mayor Eric Singson, who has been a strong advocate of bringing top-tier talent closer to fans, underscored the importance of such events to the local economy.

“Hosting this prestigious championship for the second consecutive year is another significant milestone for Candon City and reflects the confidence entrusted to us in staging international sporting events,” Singson said.

“It also provides Candon City the opportunity to represent the Philippines by sharing the warmth of Filipino hospitality while advancing sports tourism as a catalyst for economic growth, cultural exchange and community development.”