# 2023 PNVF Challenge Cup – Men's Division

The men's division of the 2023 PNVF Challenge Cup began on November 7, 2023.
Starting from this season, the tournament formerly known as the PNVF Champions League would be known as the PNVF Challenge Cup. This marks as the third season of the league.
University of Santo Tomas were the champions.

## Participating teams

The tournament was originally meant to enable local government units (cities, municipalities, and provinces) to hold their own volleyball programs. The Challenge Cup would be opened for school and club teams. By the end of October 2023, the PNVF has secured commitment from 20 men's teams.
| Club/Team | Sponsor | Locality |
| Arellano University | — | Manila |
| Cignal HD Spikers | Cignal TV, Inc. | — |
| Kuya JM Davao City | Kuya JM | Davao City |
| D'Navigators Iloilo | — | Iloilo City |
| Emilio Aguinaldo College | — | Manila |
| José Rizal University | — | Mandaluyong |
| 3B Marikina | — | Marikina |
| National University | — | Manila |
| Angatleta–Orion | Angatleta Sports | Orion, Bataan |
| Plaridel, Quezon | — | Plaridel, Quezon |
| PGJC–Navy | Philippine Navy | — |
| Rizal Technological University–Basilan | — | Basilan |
| Santa Rosa City | — | Santa Rosa, Laguna |
| Savouge Aesthetics | Savouge Medical Aesthetics Clinic | — |
| Tacloban–Eastern Visayas Fighting Warays | — | Tacloban |
| University of Batangas | — | Batangas City |
| University of the East–Cherrylume | Mileage Asia Corporation | Manila |
| University of Santo Tomas | — | Manila |
| VNS Asereht | — | — |
| Volida Volleyball Club | — | Manila |

## Format

The following format will be conducted for the entirety of the conference:

### Preliminary Round

* Single-round robin preliminaries; 20 teams; 4 pools; Teams are ranked using the FIVB Ranking System.
* The top two teams in each pool will qualified for the final round

### Quarterfinal (knockout stage)

* QF1: #A1 vs. #D2
* QF3: #C1 vs. #B2
* QF2: #B1 vs. #C2
* QF4: #D1 vs. #A2

### Semifinal (knockout stage)

* SF1: QF1 winner vs. QF3 winner
* SF2: QF2 winner vs. QF4 winner

### Finals (knockout stage)

* Bronze medal: SF1 Loser vs SF2 Loser
* Gold medal: SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner

## Pools composition

The 20 teams were divided into four pools.
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
| Cignal HD Spikers | National University | PGJC–Navy | University of Santo Tomas |
| Kuya JM–Davao City | RTU-Basilan | 3B Marikina City | Tacloban Fighting Warays |
| Savouge Aesthetics | Arellano University | Angatleta–Orion | D'Navigators Iloilo |
| Volida Volleyball Club | VNS Asereht | Jose Rizal University | Santa Rosa City |
| University of Batangas | University of the East-Cherrylume | Plaridel, Quezon | Emilio Aguinaldo College |

## Venue

* All matches
* Manila
* Rizal Memorial Coliseum
* Capacity: 10,000

## Preliminary round

* All times are Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8:00).

### Pool A

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Cignal HD Spikers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | MAX | 300 | 178 | 1.685 | Quarterfinals |
| 2 | Savouge Aesthetics | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1.167 | 232 | 213 | 1.089 | Quarterfinals |
| 3 | Kuya JM–Davao City | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1.000 | 197 | 180 | 1.094 | |
| 4 | University of Batangas | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 0.857 | 275 | 285 | 0.965 | |
| 5 | Volida Volleyball Club | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0.000 | 152 | 300 | 0.507 | |
| Date | Time | Venue | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Total |
| 07 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | Cignal HD Spikers | 3–0 | Savouge Aesthetics | 25–21 | 25–16 | 25–22 | | 75–59 |
| 09 Nov | 12:00 | RMC | Volida Volleyball Club | 0–3 | University of Batangas | 14–25 | 12–25 | 11–25 | | 37–75 |
| 14 Nov | 12:00 | RMC | University of Batangas | 0–3 | Cignal HD Spikers | 15–25 | 14–25 | 16–25 | | 45–75 |
| 14 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | Kuya JM–Davao City | 3–0 | Volida Volleyball Club | 25–19 | 25–19 | 25–11 | | 75–49 |
| 15 Nov | 08:00 | RMC | Volida Volleyball Club | 0–3 | Savouge Aesthetics | 11–25 | 11–25 | 17–25 | | 39–75 |
| 15 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | Cignal HD Spikers | 3–0 | Kuya JM–Davao City | 25–19 | 25–17 | 25–11 | | 75–47 |
| 17 Nov | 18:00 | RMC | Savouge Aesthetics | 3–0 | Kuya JM–Davao City | 25–17 | 25–19 | 25–20 | | 75–56 |
| 18 Nov | 12:00 | RMC | Volida Volleyball Club | 0–3 | Cignal HD Spikers | 12–25 | 7–25 | 8–25 | | 27–75 |
| 19 Nov | 18:00 | RMC | Kuya JM–Davao City | 3–0 | University of Batangas | 25–20 | 25–19 | 25–17 | | 75–56 |
| 20 Nov | 15:00 | RMC | University of Batangas | 3–1 | Savouge Aesthetics | 25–22 | 30–28 | 19–25 | 25–23 | 99–98 |

### Pool B

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | National University | 4 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 2 | 6.000 | 337 | 263 | 1.281 | Quarterfinals |
| 2 | VNS Asereht | 4 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 2.750 | 271 | 257 | 1.054 | Quarterfinals |
| 3 | University of the East–Cherrylume | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1.000 | 321 | 310 | 1.035 | |
| 4 | RTU-Basilan | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 0.273 | 271 | 325 | 0.834 | |
| 5 | Arellano University | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 0.250 | 280 | 353 | 0.793 | |
| Date | Time | Venue | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 07 Nov | 16:00 | RMC | National University | 3–0 | RTU-Basilan | 25–15 | 25–17 | 25–19 | | | 75–51 |
| 08 Nov | 12:00 | RMC | University of the East–Cherrylume | 3–1 | Arellano University | 25–18 | 22–25 | 25–22 | 25–23 | | 97–88 |
| 09 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | VNS Asereht | 3–1 | University of the East–Cherrylume | 25–18 | 19–25 | 25–21 | 25–20 | | 94–84 |
| 14 Nov | 10:00 | RMC | VNS Asereht | 3–0 | RTU-Basilan | 25–23 | 25–15 | 25–23 | | | 75–61 |
| 16 Nov | 18:00 | RMC | National University | 3–2 | VNS Asereht | 25–23 | 22–25 | 25–21 | 25–27 | 15–6 | 112–102 |
| 18 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | University of the East–Cherrylume | 0–3 | National University | 22–25 | 23–25 | 20–25 | | | 65–75 |
| 18 Nov | 16:00 | RMC | Arellano University | 0–3 | VNS Asereht | 11–25 | 19–25 | 17–25 | | | 47–75 |
| 20 Nov | 09:00 | RMC | RTU-Basilan | 0–3 | University of the East–Cherrylume | 18–25 | 16–25 | 19–25 | | | 53–75 |
| 20 Nov | 11:00 | RMC | National University | 3–0 | Arellano University | 25–17 | 25–12 | 25–16 | | | 75–45 |
| 21 Nov | 13:00 | RMC | Arellano University | 2–3 | RTU-Basilan | 25–19 | 25–22 | 22–25 | 18–25 | 10–15 | 100–106 |

### Pool C

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | PGJC–Navy | 4 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 12.000 | 322 | 184 | 1.750 | Quarterfinals |
| 2 | Jose Rizal University | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 3.333 | 300 | 236 | 1.271 | Quarterfinals |
| 3 | 3B Marikina City | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1.000 | 248 | 252 | 0.984 | |
| 4 | Plaridel, Quezon | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 0.333 | 242 | 268 | 0.903 | |
| 5 | Angatleta–Orion | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0.000 | 127 | 300 | 0.423 | |
| Date | Time | Venue | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Total |
| 08 Nov | 08:00 | RMC | Angatleta–Orion | 0–3 | Jose Rizal University | 11–25 | 15–25 | 12–25 | | 38–75 |
| 08 Nov | 10:00 | RMC | PGJC–Navy | 3–0 | Plaridel, Quezon | 25–18 | 25–23 | 25–20 | | 75–61 |
| 09 Nov | 18:00 | RMC | Plaridel, Quezon | 3–0 | Angatleta–Orion | 25–18 | 25–10 | 25–14 | | 75–42 |
| 14 Nov | 08:00 | RMC | 3B Marikina City | 0–3 | PGJC–Navy | 20–25 | 11–25 | 18–25 | | 49–75 |
| 15 Nov | 10:00 | RMC | Jose Rizal University | 3–0 | 3B Marikina City | 25–13 | 25–17 | 25–19 | | 75–49 |
| 15 Nov | 12:00 | RMC | PGJC–Navy | 3–0 | Angatleta–Orion | 25–0 | 25–0 | 25–0 | | 75–0 |
| 16 Nov | 16:00 | RMC | 3B Marikina City | 3–0 | Plaridel, Quezon | 25–20 | 25–14 | 25–21 | | 75–55 |
| 17 Nov | 16:00 | RMC | Angatleta–Orion | 0–3 | 3B Marikina City | 11–25 | 15–25 | 21–25 | | 47–75 |
| 19 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | Jose Rizal University | 1–3 | PGJC–Navy | 24–26 | 16–25 | 25–22 | 9–25 | 74–98 |
| 20 Nov | 13:00 | RMC | Plaridel, Quezon | 0–3 | Jose Rizal University | 13–25 | 14–25 | 24–26 | | 51–76 |

### Pool D

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | University of Santo Tomas | 4 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 12.000 | 320 | 247 | 1.296 | Quarterfinals |
| 2 | D'Navigators Iloilo | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 3.000 | 293 | 246 | 1.191 | Quarterfinals |
| 3 | Emilio Aguinaldo College | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 0.857 | 295 | 273 | 1.081 | |
| 4 | Santa Rosa City | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 0.400 | 273 | 335 | 0.815 | |
| 5 | Tacloban Fighting Warays | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0.167 | 260 | 338 | 0.769 | |
| Date | Time | Venue | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Total |
| 07 Nov | 18:00 | RMC | University of Santo Tomas | 3–0 | Santa Rosa City | 25–14 | 25–20 | 25–17 | | 75–51 |
| 08 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | Santa Rosa City | 1–3 | Emilio Aguinaldo College | 16–25 | 20–25 | 25–23 | 15–25 | 76–98 |
| 09 Nov | 16:00 | RMC | Emilio Aguinaldo College | 0–3 | University of Santo Tomas | 20–25 | 17–25 | 18–25 | | 55–75 |
| 16 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | D'Navigators Iloilo | 3–0 | Emilio Aguinaldo College | 27–25 | 25–22 | 25–20 | | 77–67 |
| 17 Nov | 14:00 | RMC | Tacloban Fighting Warays | 0–3 | D'Navigators Iloilo | 18–25 | 17–25 | 16–25 | | 51–75 |
| 18 Nov | 18:00 | RMC | D'Navigators Iloilo | 0–3 | University of Santo Tomas | 23–25 | 23–25 | 20–25 | | 66–75 |
| 19 Nov | 16:00 | RMC | Santa Rosa City | 3–1 | Tacloban Fighting Warays | 25–23 | 18–25 | 25–20 | 25–21 | 93–89 |
| 20 Nov | 17:00 | RMC | Tacloban Fighting Warays | 0–3 | Emilio Aguinaldo College | 17–25 | 17–25 | 11–25 | | 45–75 |
| 21 Nov | 15:00 | RMC | D'Navigators Iloilo | 3–0 | Santa Rosa City | 25–17 | 25–14 | 25–22 | | 75–53 |
| 21 Nov | 17:00 | RMC | University of Santo Tomas | 3–1 | Tacloban Fighting Warays | 25–19 | 25–19 | 20–25 | 25–12 | 95–75 |

## Final round

* All times are Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8:00).
| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Championship | Championship | Championship |
| November 23 | November 23 | November 23 | | | | | | |
| A1 | Cignal HD Spikers | 3 | | | | | | |
| A1 | Cignal HD Spikers | 3 | November 24 | November 24 | November 24 | | | |
| D2 | D'Navigators Iloilo | 0 | November 24 | November 24 | November 24 | | | |
| D2 | D'Navigators Iloilo | 0 | Cignal HD Spikers | Cignal HD Spikers | 3 | | | |
| November 23 | November 23 | November 23 | Cignal HD Spikers | Cignal HD Spikers | 3 | | | |
| November 23 | November 23 | November 23 | VNS Asereht | VNS Asereht | 2 | | | |
| C1 | PGJC–Navy | 0 | VNS Asereht | VNS Asereht | 2 | | | |
| C1 | PGJC–Navy | 0 | | | | November 25 | November 25 | November 25 |
| B2 | VNS Asereht | 3 | | | | November 25 | November 25 | November 25 |
| B2 | VNS Asereht | 3 | | | | Cignal HD Spikers | Cignal HD Spikers | 2 |
| November 23 | November 23 | November 23 | | | | Cignal HD Spikers | Cignal HD Spikers | 2 |
| November 23 | November 23 | November 23 | | | | University of Santo Tomas | University of Santo Tomas | 3 |
| B1 | National University | 3 | | | | University of Santo Tomas | University of Santo Tomas | 3 |
| B1 | National University | 3 | November 24 | November 24 | November 24 | | | |
| C2 | Jose Rizal University | 0 | November 24 | November 24 | November 24 | | | |
| C2 | Jose Rizal University | 0 | National University | National University | 1 | Third place | Third place | Third place |
| November 23 | November 23 | November 23 | National University | National University | 1 | Third place | Third place | Third place |
| November 23 | November 23 | November 23 | University of Santo Tomas | University of Santo Tomas | 3 | November 25 | November 25 | November 25 |
| D1 | University of Santo Tomas | 3 | University of Santo Tomas | University of Santo Tomas | 3 | November 25 | November 25 | November 25 |
| D1 | University of Santo Tomas | 3 | | | | VNS Asereht | VNS Asereht | 3 |
| A2 | Savouge Aesthetics | 0 | | | | VNS Asereht | VNS Asereht | 3 |
| A2 | Savouge Aesthetics | 0 | | | | National University | National University | 2 |

### Quarterfinals

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Total |
| 23 Nov | 10:00 | Cignal HD Spikers | 3–0 | D'Navigators Iloilo | 25–18 | 25–23 | 25–17 | 75–58 |
| 23 Nov | 12:30 | PGJC–Navy | 0–3 | VNS Asereht | 24–26 | 24–26 | 24–26 | 72–78 |
| 23 Nov | 15:00 | National University | 3–0 | Jose Rizal University | 26–24 | 25–19 | 25–18 | 76–61 |
| 23 Nov | 17:30 | University of Santo Tomas | 3–0 | Savouge Aesthetics | 25–19 | 25–20 | 25–20 | 75–59 |

### Semifinals

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 24 Nov | 15:00 | Cignal HD Spikers | 3–2 | VNS Asereht | 25–21 | 25–22 | 21–15 | 23–25 | 15–10 | 109–93 | |
| 24 Nov | 17:30 | National University | 1–3 | University of Santo Tomas | 18–25 | 22–25 | 25–20 | 24–26 | | 89–96 | |

### Finals
#### Bronze Medal Match

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 25 Nov | 10:00 | VNS Asereht | 3–2 | National University | 32–34 | 23–25 | 26–24 | 25–23 | 15–13 | 121–119 | |

#### Gold Medal Match

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total | Report |
| 25 Nov | 17:30 | Cignal HD Spikers | 2–3 | University of Santo Tomas | 25–20 | 22–25 | 22–25 | 25–19 | 13–15 | 107–104 | |

## Final standing

| Rank | Team |
| | University of Santo Tomas |
| | Cignal HD Spikers |
| | VNS Asereht |
| 4 | National University |
| 5 | PGJC–Navy |
| 6 | Jose Rizal University |
| 7 | D'Navigators Iloilo |
| 8 | Savouge Aesthetics |
| 9 | University of the East–Cherrylume |
| 10 | Kuya JM–Davao City |
| 11 | 3B Marikina City |
| 12 | Emilio Aguinaldo College |
| 13 | University of Batangas |
| 14 | Santa Rosa City |
| 15 | Plaridel, Quezon |
| 16 | RTU–Basilan |
| 17 | Arellano University |
| 18 | Tacloban Fighting Warays |
| 19 | Volida Volleyball Club |
| 20 | Angatleta–Orion |
* 2023 PNVF Challenge Cup Men's Champions
* University of Santo Tomas 1st title

## Awards
### Individual awards

| Award | Player | Team |
| Most Valuable Player | Joshua Ybañez | UST |
| 1st Best Outside Spiker | Joshua Ybañez | UST |
| 2nd Best Outside Spiker | Rey Miguel De Vega | UST |
| 1st Best Middle Blocker | John Paul Bugaoan | Cignal |
| 2nd Best Middle Blocker | Edlyn Paul Colinares | UST |
| Best Opposite Spiker | Sherwin Umandal | UST |
| Best Setter | Jerome Lopez | VNS |
| Best Libero | Manuel Sumanguid III | Cignal |