ByEdwin Rollon

Game Today (Sept. 27)

3:30 p.m. - SSC-R vs FEU starting at 3:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - Lyceum vs UE

Shakey’s and ACES Philippines vowed to continue building a strong foundation for grassroots development guided by respect, fairness, and integrity in every aspect of the game and the organization.

In her seventh season with the Premier Volleyball League, Michele Gumabao has finally earned her place among the stars, winning the 2024 Invitational Conference Most Valuable Player award.

Photo: Officials and members of Alas Pilipinas and Osaka Blueton of Japan share light moment of top officials of the organizing Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) headed by newly elected Asian Volleyball Federation (AVF) president Ramon ‘Tatz’ Suzara (center).

BANGKOK—Ramon “Tats” Suzara vowed to seize the opportunity and momentum to the hilt to take the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) to a new era following his election as president of the continental governing body for volleyball here on Friday morning.

THAILAND took a while to get into the rhythm but did well enough to remain unscathed in the 2024 Southeast Asian Men’s V.League, edging Vietnam, 27-25, 29-27, 25-15, on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The trio of Thungkham Chaiwat, Nilsawai Kissada, and Bhinijdee Napadet again took charge as the Thais, yet to drop a set in the weekend volleyball spectacle, solidified their bid for the gold after ending up with silver and bronze in two legs last year.

Napadet had 13 points on 11 attacks and two aces as the Thais came up with another huge win, a fitting follow-up to their three-set triumph over pre-tournament favorite Indonesians on Friday's opener.

Surprisingly, the Thais took a little longer getting past the Vietnamese — the match lasting 11 minutes more than their opening win in the four-nation, three-day event hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

Eager to get back on track after a loss to Alas Pilipinas on opening day, Nguyen Ngoc Thuan, Pham Van Hiep, and Tran Duy Tuyen again led the way but Vietnam lost steam in the extended first and second sets.

Thailand then got into the groove in the third and sealed the win over the Vietnamese in one hour and 42 minutes, with Kissada notching 12 points and Chaiwat finishing with 11.

Thuan led all scorers, registering 17 points on 12 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Hiep had 10 points and Tuyen scored eight.

Thailand goes for a sweep when it battles Alas Pilipinas on Sunday, while Vietnam tries to avoid a winless stint when it takes on Indonesia.

Games on Sunday (Aug. 18)

Ynares Sports Arena

12 noon – Ateneo vs La Salle (men's)

2 p.m. – UST vs Perpetual (men's)

5 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (women's)

Joshua Magalaman displayed exceptional efficiency, leading De La Salle University to a commanding 25-15, 25-22, 25-21 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.

The 88-minute victory extended the Green Spikers’ winning streak to three matches in the pre-season tournament.

Magalaman was a force on the court, delivering 10 attack points on just 13 attempts and contributing three blocks. His stellar 13-point performance powered the Taft-based squad to the top of the standings in the eight-team competition.

In contrast, the Generals suffered their third consecutive defeat.

“Pwede kong sabihing convincing kasi straight sets pero since medyo nagpapalit ako ng players, somehow nakikita ko na rin yung kung anong pwede pang iadjust at the same time ano yung kailangan pa namin ipakita na talagang walang kaduda-duda, the word convincing yun na yun,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque.

Ruther Abor gave EAC a glimmer of hope late in the second set with a strong off-the-block kill and an ace, pulling them within 22-24. However, he fouled up at serve, giving La Salle the 2-0 set advantage.

The Green Spikers thwarted another comeback attempt from the Generals in the third set, with Magalaman and Arjay Magallanes sealing the straight-set romp.

Chris Hernandez continued his solid form for La Salle with 10 points, while MJ Fortuna added seven markers in limited action.

La Salle will next face archrival Ateneo de Manila on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Abor was the lone bright spot for the Generals, finishing with 15 points on 13 spikes, a block, and an ace.

EAC will attempt to secure their first win next Wednesday against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, also at the Pasig venue.