The FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship stars were in full force as they delighted more than 2,000 fans in attendance at the Meet and Greet
Manila, Philippines, October 16, 2016 – The players of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship received a warm welcome from the Filipino fans that flocked to the event’s successful Meet and Greet at the Robinson’s Place Manila on Saturday.
The 19 stars of the six teams – Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul, Pomi Casalmaggiore, PSL-F2 Logistics Manila, Rexona-Sesc Rio, Vakifbank Istanbul and Volero Zurich – were introduced one by one and got loud cheers from the more than 2,000 fans present at the event.
The Filipino fans showed their appreciation to the players by treating them like rock stars. The fans queued outside the atrium as soon as the mall opened and patiently waited until the fan meet started.
“I was first in line at the Meet and Greet venue,” Vakifbank supporter Cher Ibanez said. “I didn’t even realise that I had to wait a few more hours, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to see the best players in the world. When they were being introduced, I cried because I could not believe that my favourite players are right in front of me.”
All the waiting paid off as soon as the players appeared, and infinite smiles were seen and loud cheers were heard from the fans as they got to see their volleyball idols in person.
The Meet and Greet was a big treat for the fans to catch a glimpse of their favourite players, who graciously took selfies and signed autographs in the hour-long programme.
The event was the biggest gathering in Manila since they hosted eight teams in the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix finals in 2000.
“This is the first time since year 2000 that we hosted an FIVB competition with eight teams,” organising committee director general Ramon Suzara said. “This event has a big impact on Philippine volleyball because this is the only time that we have gathered the best names in the sport.”
The successful meet and greet for the Women’s Club World Championship gathered the stars in volleyball such as Tijana Boskovic, Thaisa Daher Pallesi, Tatiana Kosheleva, Jovana Stevanovic, Carli Lloyd, Valentina Tirozzi, Rachel Anne Daquis, Mika Reyes, Yevgeniya Nyukhalova, Gabi Guimaraes, Anne Buijs, Juciely Barreto, Zhu Ting, Lonneke Sloetjes, Kimberly Hill, Foluke Akinradewo, Mariana Costa, Kenia Carcaces Opon and Olesia Rhykliuk.
Excitement looms for the competition as more stars from Bangkok Glass of Thailand and Hisamitsu Springs Kobe of Japan are expected to arrive in Manila on Sunday.
The Women’s Club World Championship will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena on October 18 to 23. Vakifbank Istanbul will face Turkey in the opening match at 10:00, then Volero Zurich will play Bangkok Glass at 13:00. An all-European club match-up between Pomi Casalmaggiore and the defending champions Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul will follow at 16:30, then the hosts PSL-F2 Logistics Manila will make their debut in the competition against Rexona-Sesc Rio at 19:30.