Japanese guest team KondohGumi Hyogo, formerly known as Maruichi Hyogo, will return for the second consecutive year in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
The league announced on Monday that Hyogo will once again participate in the country's premier men's volleyball league.
They will compete as the fifth team in the round-robin semifinals of the Invitational, which is supported by ArenaPlus, Mikasa, and Alpha Insurance & Surety Company.
KondohGumi will field a revamped roster, once again featuring young players led by team captain Kakiuchi Kohsuke.
The Hyogo-based squad will face Criss Cross, Cignal, FEU-DN Steel, and Savouge in the semifinals, where the top two teams will advance to the knockout finale.
Last year, Maruichi, led by Yusi Kawagoe and Kyosuke Kashimoto, managed only one win and suffered four losses in the semifinals. However, they bounced back to defeat Saints and Lattes-Letran in the battle for third place, earning a bronze finish.
Hyogo head coach Kota Kunichika expressed his desire to return immediately after securing third place in the previous edition, and his wish has been granted.
The Japanese guest team is set to arrive on Wednesday and will make its debut on Friday at 6:00 p.m. against the Spin Doctors at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
