Alas Pilipinas stays in Manama as AVC pushes through with Men's Nations Cup finale amid Middle East unrest

Alas Pilipinas gets to play one more match in the AVC Men's Nations Cup as Bahrain is pushing through amid the tensions in the Middle East. PNVF (file photo)
By Dugout Philippines

MANILA—The Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) decided to resume play for the final of the Men’s Nations Cup on Tuesday after the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Bahrain Volleyball Association guaranteed the safety of participants in the 11-nation competition.

The AVC opted to postpone the final between the host country and Pakistan, scheduled for 7 p.m. (Bahrain time), after tensions escalated after the US bombed nuclear facilities in Iran.

Bahrain's capital, Manama, is situated close to Al Udeid, a US airbase in Qatar, said to be the staging area for the US B-52 stealth bombers, which targeted nuclear facilities in Iran.

“Due to the current situation, AVC President Mr. Ramon Suzara has decided to postpone all matches scheduled for tomorrow, June 24, 2025, until further notice and until the situation returns to status quo,” the AVC Control Committee said in a statement sent to member countries on Monday night.

But after the guarantees provided by the host, AVC president Ramon “Tats” Suzara decided to play the final

“Following consultations with the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Bahrain Volleyball Association, the AVC has decided to proceed with the Finals today [Tuesday] as scheduled, the AVC said in a statement.

Alas Pilipinas were ready to fly home when the AVC decided to continue the tournament—they were scheduled to face New Zealand at 5 p.m. (Bahrain time) Tuesday.

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