First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos will make the ceremonial first serve to open the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Week 3 Pasay City leg on July 4 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos

Mrs. Marcos will make the serve before the 7 p.m. match between No. 7 Japan and No. 25 China on opening day.

“We are honored with the First Lady, Atty. Liza Marcos, making the first serve in the VNL,” Phililppine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said. “Her presence is greatly appreciated and will definitely boost the VNL and the country on the global volleyball stage.”

The First Lady is a seasoned lawyer but sports run in her blood. Her late father, Manuel Araneta, was a member of the national basketball team that played in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

World No. 2 Brazil and No. 4 Italy will open hostilities at 3 p.m. on July 4.  No.  17 Canada and No. 12 Netherlands clash at 3 p.m. while No. 1 Poland and No. 9 Slovenia take the court at 7 p.m. the next day on July 5.

Eight of the world’s top 25 men’s teams are bringing their elite act rarely seen on Philippine soil.

Also competing are world No. 1 Poland—a former Olympic gold medalist like Brazil—as well as No. 9 Slovenia, No. 12 The Netherlands, No. 15 Canada and No. 25 China.

Fans can purchase their tickets at Ticketnet.

An exclusive VNL shirt will also be given to every purchase of Patron Front Row and VIP On Court tickets. More information are available @volleyball_philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.

Also expected on opening day are Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto Rubiano.