Despite earning a spot in the National Volleyball Championship (known as the PV Oil Cup) by finishing first in the 2011 A-Class National Men's Volleyball Tournament last September, Maseco HCM City are now hoping not only to rank in the top four but even to remain in the event.

To stay competitive, the team has spent VND5 billion (US$239,000) to sign veterans like Tran Thanh Tung, Nguyen Thanh Cong, Huynh Van Tuan, and Nguyen Hoang Thuong, as well as Chinese player Huang Bin, who has competed well in international events.

"The team is in a group with very strong teams," said coach Le Hong Hao. "Standing in the top four is rather tough, but with good preparation, I believe my team will play well."

The team is in Group A alongside Sacombank Border Guard, The Cong, Trang An Ninh Binh, Military Zone 9 and Army Corps 4. The PV Oil Cup will take place on March 16-23 in the northern provinces of Quang Ninh (Group A) and Hai Duong (Group B). The first and second placed teams in each group will compete for the Hung Vuong Cup at Viet Tri Gymnasium in the northern province of Phu Tho during the celebration of the Hung Kings Festival, which falls at the end of this month. — VNS