The Philippine men’s team barged into the Top 60 of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) world rankings following two victories in the ongoing Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Men in Chinese Taipei.

The Philippine team to the AVC Challenge Cup for Men. (Volleyball Philippines)

The Nationals leapfrogged 111 notches from No. 167 to No. 56 to become one of the only three FIVB nations which made significant strides in the world rankings.

Macau improved from No. 165 to No. 58, while Mongolia propelled from No. 164 to No. 59 with both countries also competing in Taipei.

“This is one big, major achievement for our men’s indoor volleyball team,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said on Wednesday, July 13.

The PH spikers downed Macau, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, last Sunday, July 9, and Mongolia, 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 15-12, on Monday, July 10, to reach the Final 12 of the said tournament.

They yielded to Bahrain, 25-20, 25-17, 25-23, at the resumption of play on Wednesday morning.

Other countries competing in Taipei are Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, India, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

The PH team in Taipei is composed of Vincent Raphael Mangulabnan, Noel Michael Kampton, Kim Harold Dayandante, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Ryan Andrew Banez, Kim Malabunga, Jayvee Sumagaysay, Steve Charles Rotter, Adrian Villados, John Vic de Guzman, Joshua Umandal, Edward Camposano, Bryan Bagunas, Marck Jesus Espejo, Rex Emmanuel Intal, Madzlan Gampong, Lloyd Josafat, Cyrus de Guzman, Manual Sumanguid III and Chumason Celestine Njigha.

The team is led by PNVF director Rod Roque and handled by Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso and deputy coaches Odjie Mamon and Rommel Abella with team manager Jerome Guhit, strength and conditioning coach Melchidedek Samonte and statistician Mark Gil Alfafara. The PNVF also sent FIVB referee Janus Dumaran to Taiwan.