PLDT joins Creamline, Petro Gazz as 12-team AVC Champions League groups set

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PVL contenders PLDT, Creamline, and Petro Gazz grace the Philippines' April 20-27 hosting of the AVC Champions League, while Alas Pilipinas-Cignal banners the men's Champions League this May in Japan

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will be well represented in its hosting of the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League at the PhilSports Arena this April 20 to 27, as PLDT will be the third Filipino squad in the 12-team continental field, joining PVL contenders Creamline and Petro Gazz.

All three teams for world No. 52 Philippines have been placed in different groups, as 10-time PVL champion Creamline has been bracketed in Pool A with Zhetsyu VC-Kazakhstan (world No. 32) and Al Naser-Jordan (unranked) in the draw held on Wednesday, March 12.

Petro Gazz, meanwhile, headlines Pool B with world No. 45 Taiwan’s TaiPower and world No. 60 Hong Kong’s Hip Hing.

PLDT, added a mere hour before the draw, was grouped in Pool D with world No. 13 Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima QminC and world No. 55 Australia’s Queensland Pirates.

Pool C is composed of world powerhouses China (No. 5) and Vietnam (No. 32), followed by a yet unannounced squad from Iran (No. 57).

Meanwhile, the world No. 56 Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team, performing under the Cignal HD Spikers banner, has been grouped with world No. 6 Japan’s Osaka Bluteon and world No. 24 China’s Shanghai Bright in the men’s AVC Champions League set in Japan on May 11 to 18.

This will be one of the Philippine team’s last few tournaments before hosting the historic 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Manila this September 12 to 28. – Rappler.com