By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team vowed to give it all and pull some surprises against the best of the best in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship which kicks off on Sept. 12 to 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Team skipper Bryan Bagunas and veteran Marck Espejo said the bond they have formed over the past weeks in Europe gave them the confidence boost – not to mention the chemistry – needed to challenge top guns in the sport.
“Sa matagal naming pagsasama sa Europe, nakilala po namin lalo ang isa’t isa. Ready na po kaming maglaro para sa bayan,” said Espejo during the team’s media day at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila on Monday, Sept. 8.
“Pangakong gagawin po namin yung best namin hindi lang basta makadikit o makakuha ng set, pero para manalo ng games,” he added.
The team, under Italian champion coach Angiolino Frigoni, spent weeks in Romania, Morocco and Portugal with hopes of gaining enough experience when it takes on world No. 42 Tunisia in the opening match of the 32-team tournament on Sept. 12.
They will also be up against No. 13 Iran and African champion Egypt in the Pool A of the group stage.
“It’s an honor to be part of this historic event. We’re excited to play and show the level and brand of Philippine volleyball on the world stage,” said Bagunas.
Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) President Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara also expressed his confidence in the team and in the overall success of the tournament’s hosting
“We are ready to make history,” said Suzara.
“Let’s make this happen and show the world that the Filipinos are one of the best fans in the world,” added Suzara, who also served as president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and executive vice president of the FIVB.
An explosive opening ceremony to be headlined by K-POP group BOYNEXTDOOR is also slated to spice up the world competition.
