PNVF looks to send competitive team as it hosts FIVB Men’s World Championship
By BEA MICALLER, GMA Integrated News Published March 26, 2024 7:01pm The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) isn’t only looking to mount a successful hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, but is also eyeing to send a competitive team to the global showpiece. PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the local volleyball […]
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By BEA MICALLER, GMA Integrated News
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) isn’t only looking to mount a successful hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, but is also eyeing to send a competitive team to the global showpiece.
PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the local volleyball body has already laid out the plan for the national team, which will be handled by Brazilian tactician Sergio Veloso with Dante Alinsunurin and Odjie Mamon serving as his deputies.
“We have put in place already the timeline for the national team and training starting next month, once the Spikers’ Turf is completed,” Suzara said during a press conference at the Marquis Events Place in Taguig.
“There’s a full schedule until next year and then in September, we’ll have a one-year countdown.”
Veloso, the current head coach of the Ateneo women’s volleyball team in the UAAP, has already selected players for the 25-man training pool which will engage in a series of pocket tournaments leading to the World Championship.
Veloso and the PNVF have yet to reveal the names of those invited, but vowed to maximize the one year of preparation to be competitive in the tournament.
“Sinasabi ko nga, makaisang panalo, bakit hindi, to make our world rankings really go up,” Suzara added.
[I’ve been saying, even just one win, why not, to make our world ranking really go up.]
“But we will work hard, the teams here are not so easy, there are world-class and Olympic champions here but this is a big opportunity for our team to compete globally.”
But it will be a tough road for the national team, as they will go up against the best volleyball squads in the world, including defending champion Italy and world no. 1 Poland. Also tipped to see action are world no. 2 USA and no. 4 Japan.
“Last World Championship in Poland was only 24 teams and ngayon, 32 teams and kasama pa ang Philippines so this is a good opportunity for the men’s national team to be on a world stage,” Suzara added.
[Last World Championship in Poland, there were only 24 teams and now, 32 teams and the Philippines will be part of it so this is a good opportunity for the men’s national team to be on a world stage.]
“We need to be global now. And hosting this World Championship for the first time is good for the sport of volleyball and for the fans.”
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
