The latest 2005 Youth Girls' Under 18 World Championships news       Philippines ready to host fifth Asian Youth Girls Volleyball in Mandaue City May 7, 2005 – Following a men’s World Championship first round tournament in March, top-level Volleyball action returns to the Cebu Province in the Philippines when Mandaue City plays host to the fifth Asian Youth Girls Championship this month. The tournament, which is a qualifying tournament for the Under 18 World Championships in Macau from July 23-31, will be held from May 24-31 at the newly-renovated Mandaue Sports and Cultural Complex Gymnasium. "We are honored to host such an important sporting event,” said the Mandaue City Sports Commission chairman Cheryl Ouano. “The city of Mandaue has played host to a number of international tournaments and this is the first time that we are having a major Volleyball event here. "We are proud to say that the Mandaue gym is the only air-conditioned gym all over Cebu and we are very thankful for Mayor Ouano's all-out support. With a world-class gym, we hope to host more major sports events in the future." The Philippines are bracketed in Group A together with Japan, Chinese Taipei and Australia while Korea, India, Thailand, China and Vietnam are in Group B. The top four teams in the Asian Youth Girls Championship will earn spots in the Under 18 World Championships. "Once again, the Philippines has been given the rare opportunity to host another prestigious event like the Asian Youth Girls Championship," said FIVB development officer Ramon Suzara, who was also involved in the organisation of the 2006 World Men's Volleyball Championship to Cebu City. With a tough group, expectations are not high for the one-month old Philippines team which will be coached by Sammy Acaylar. "With little time to prepare, the best thing we can do is to have the team play more warm-up games," said Acaylar, a former national athlete. He coached the national men's and women's team in the 1981 Manila SEA Games. Acaylar, who also coached the Philippines side that played in the 2002 Asian Youth tournament in Vietnam, said the national squad will play as guest team in the Shakey's V-League next week before flying to Mandaue on May 22.