For Flag and Country

Unfurled Again

After a long hiatus from the international volleyball scene, the Philippines first showed signs of its complete resurgence in 2014 with its participation in the Asian Club Championships. With the support of PLDT, our national teams fared respectably well both in the Women's tournament in which our country placed 8th and in the Men's competition where we captured 7th place in front of a supportive home crowd. This revival was further emphasized when our young lady players competed again in the Asian Youth Girls Championship later in the year and ranked 7th. With the formation of training pools, namely the Amihan and Bagwis Pilipinas, with long-term targets and plans, it appeared that there can never be any other direction but onwards.

Almost Dragged Back

Before the full flight takes off though, the specter of its dormant days threatened to return. At the turn of the year, a leadership crisis once again crept in. Surprisingly, in a move that could have been done many years back, the top honchos in our NOC decided to take the reins and take it upon themselves to lead and supervise all volleyball activities in the country. Thus, in a mind-boggling full circle, the responsibility that was once PAVA's, then PVF's, now became LVPI's. That is to be the recognized and sole governing body of Philippine volleyball.

As full recognition from the FIVB arrives later though, commitments made to AVC, that is to participate in three tournaments, and even host one, must be honored.

Hoisted on Rusty Stands

Controversies and side issues thus hound our teams and players as they represent the Philippines in three continental tournaments. 

AVC Under-23  Women's Volleyball Team (clockwise from top left): Grethcel Soltones, Myla Pablo, Alyja Daphne Santiago,
Coach Roger Gorayeb (with 3 assistants), Risa Sato, Ennajie Laure, Marivic Meneses,
Julia Melissa Morado, Jorella Marie De Jesus, Christine Agno, Alyssa Valdez, Jhoana Louisse Maraguinot, Isabel Beatriz de Leon
photo credit: @Sports5PH Twitter account

It is fortunate that the first event, the first staging of the Asian Under-23 Women's Championship,  was hosted here in Manila. Despite insinuations of non-representation for some schools, the attendance in the RP team's matches clearly showed that the most important colors are the ones that can be found in our very own flag, not just those of the universities where each of the players come from.

Inexperience may indeed be a factor, but there can be no doubt that these young girls, led by Alyssa Valdez, Grethcel Soltones, Jaja Santiago and Myla Pablo, have HEART. They faced far more formidable opponents, but were able to snatch two impressive wins, against Kazakhstan and Iran, and placed 7th. 

AVC Under-23 Men's Volleyball Team (clockwise from top left): Peter Den Mar Torres, Angelo Michael Torres, Edward Camposano,

Coach Oliver Almadro (with 3 assistants), Joshua Alexis Miguel Villanueva, Romnick Rico, Rex Emmanuel Intal,

Ysrael Wilson Marasigan, Ishmael John Rivera, Manuel Sumanguid III, Esmilzo Joner Polvorosa, Marck Jesus Espejo, not in photo: Greg Dolor
photo credit: @jalmadro Twitter account

The concern for the national men's team is how to share in the spotlight with the more popular and better-ranked women's counterpart. Thus, when the Under-23 Men's squad left for Myanmar for the initial Asian Under-23 Men's Championship, there were little attention given. Add the fact that they are first-time competitors in front of a foreign, though maybe not hostile, crowd. 

Still, these young lads, spearheaded by Marck Espejo, Peter Torres, Ed Camposano and Ysay Marasigan, showed FIGHTING SPIRIT, enabling them to garner a solitary win over Vietnam and making it possible for them to finish at 14th place.

AVC Seniors Women's Volleyball Team (clockwise from top left): Carmina Aganon, Myla Pablo, Frances Xinia Molina, Ma. Lourdes Clemente,
Coach Sammy Acaylar (with 3 assistants), Iris Tolenada, Michele Gumabao, Ma. Abigail Praca,

Jeanette Panaga, Angelique Beatrice Dionela, Melissa Gohing ,Ivy Jisel Perez, Kim Kianna Dy

photo credit: @gumabaomichele Instagram account

Many consider the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship as the ultimate competition for the sport in Asia, in the same level as the Asian Games. When the country thus sent a selection from the PSL, a few questions were raised. It must be emphasized though that with the way these international tournaments were scheduled one after the other, plus concurrent local commercial leagues being played as well, the possibility of naming different representative squads for each is inevitable.

These girls, anchored by PSL stalwarts Michele Gumabao, Myla Pablo, Frances Molina and Iris Tolenada, proved equal to the task and played with DETERMINATION, despite knowing they are up against the very best in Asia. They managed to win over Hong Kong and Sri Lanka to duplicate the country's previous performance and finish this year's competition ranked 12th.

WAVING WITH GRATITUDE

No words can suffice to express the volleyball fans' joy to see the country's players  in international competitions again. So, on a personal note, I will try my best. THANK YOU SO MUCH, to all these three squads, for playing with so much HEART for the nation. You all have lifted the spirits of the people who cheered with every point you scored. It is true that not every point eventually led to wins but you showed that, as long as you play with much FIGHTING SPIRIT and DETERMINATION, what matters most is giving your all, no matter what the outcome, especially if you overcome great odds.

To the Under-23 Women's Team, we are thrilled to have gone through the journey with you. As Coach Roger often says, WE LOVE YOU! (",)
To the Under-23 Men's Team, we are overjoyed to see a very competitive male selection again. Like Coach Oliver, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU.
To the Seniors Women's Team, we are elated to see that a hastily formed squad can do so well. Maybe Coach Sammy already tells you this often, but WE DO BELIEVE IN YOU.

FLY HIGH WITH PRIDE

In a few days time, the Philippines will be competing in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. Volleyball, which the country has not competed in on four previous stagings of this biennial event, will definitely be one of the most anticipated discipline.

2015 SEA Games VOLLEBALL

Women's Team (clockwise from top left): Alyja Daphne Santiago, Aleona Denise Santiago-Manabat, Rachel Anne Daquis, Abigail Maraño,
Coach Roger Gorayeb, Rhea Katrina Dimaculangan, Isabel Beatriz De Leon, Alyssa Valdez, Grethcel Soltones, Jovelyn Gonzaga,
Julia Melissa Morado, Dennise Michelle Lazaro, Maika Angela Ortiz, (with Coach Tai Bundit, 3rd from left, top row)

photo credit: @SpinPH Twitter account

Men's Team (no photo available): Alnakran Abdilla, Mark Gil Alfafara, Edward Camposano, John Vic de Guzman, Marck Jesus Espejo,
Rex Emmanuel Intal, Ysrael Wilson Marasigan, Sandy Domenick Montero, Andre Joseph Pareja, Esmilzo Joner Polvorosa,

Timothy James Sto. Tomas, Peter Den Mar Torres, Coach: Oliver Almadro

Both squads only have almost a month to train together. Even at this time, most members of the SEAG national teams are still playing in the Shakey's V-League and Spikers' Turf tournaments for different clubs even. Young stalwarts Alyssa Valdez, Grethcel Soltones, Jaja Santiago, Bea de Leon, Jia Morado, Marck Espejo, Peter Torres and Ed Camposano are joined on the roster by veterans Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Rachel Daquis, Aby Maraño, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rhea Dimaculangan, Sandy Montero, Alnakran Abdilla and AJ Pareja, among others.

Though some questions still cloud their selection and preparation, it is vital that these players know these important points. First, the country is behind them 100%. Some people may raise their expectation, some may even already downplay their chances, but most Filipinos will be proud of them no matter what the outcome. Second, though the odds may still be against them, starting with the draw and schedule especially for the Men's squad, the fans will still believe in their skills and what they can achieve. Finally, even if they hear negative comments before their departure, keep in mind that, when the ball is finally played on the Volleyball court, the whole nation will be praying that it will always fall dead on the opponent's side. It will be so CERTAIN that when the fight for the nation's pride starts, no dissenting voice can cloud the unity that shines in all, especially in the rally for support.

So, wave the flag high and play hard for the country. LABAN PILIPINAS.

For The Fans

There is no doubt that Philippine volleyball has hit fever pitch these past two months. For the first time, three commercial leagues were being played simultaneously in April, all with TV coverage, and the country was being represented in three continental championships in May, with one, the Asian Women's Under-23, being held here.

It has always been said that the volleyball community is small. The players mostly are friends with each other and the fans that watch the games live do it so frequently that they become familiar with each other's faces. These very same players and fans interact so often online, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter usually, that they are updated with the emotions and reactions of every one after each game.

If this is so, one might almost assume that every volleyball game is sold out at the gates. Or at the very least, each match has a sizable audience whose screams are heard on the TV airing.

Well, not really.

Unfair as it may sound, there are a lot more empty seats when a match would feature a far more superior team going against an inferior one. Writer Theo Jurado coined the football term "bottom-feeder" to these clubs that provide automatic wins for the top teams. The fans would appear meticulous, but they always come in droves instead when it's a match-up between title contenders. They will make their throats hoarse with their fervent screams at every long rally, even more so if a game reaches five sets.

Sports panelists have thus come up with a running count that identifies which commentator, analyst or courtside reporter has that "magic" that brings about a 5th set. This first came to light in the UAAP Women's Volleyball coverage on Studio 23. Doc Ian Laurel, Miss Mozzy Ravena, Anne and Ivy Remulla, Noreen Go and Boom Gonzales were already making jokes about it.

It has become "official" though last year at the Shakey's V-League. The two conferences that both involved Philippine Army, Cagayan Valley, PLDT and Meralco featured close 3-2 matches that the TV coverage team began pointing to which personalities were involved in each game. The introduction of a men's tournament, with Systema, IEM, FEU & RTU just added more 5-setter games that Noel Zarate who, along with Sir Sev Sarmenta, has been covering the league longest, began justifying the long match duration that each game is "for the love of the fans."

With both the Shakey's V-League 12th Season Open Conference and the Spiker's Turf 1st Tournament about to come to its conclusion, one can just guess who among Monsieurs Noel and Sev and Misses Mozzy, Ivy, Anne, Noreen and Miakka Lim would get that 5-setter "recognition." The just-concluded Philippine Superliga Open Conference confirms its panelists never had that habit yet, but for certain James Velasquez, Anthony Suntay, Tex Suter, Miss Chiqui Pablo and Denise Tan would be just as happy and excited to present and call a match that would go to the maximum limit. More especially so since the composition of the PSL include teams that can virtually beat each other at any given time.

There are a few things that are certain though. Audiences go crazy for these extended matches, whether it is being watched live or on TV. Home viewers also appreciate the efforts and "quirks" that panelists do include in their coverage. Fanatics just basically love their volleyball games. With the rate events are going, with more tournaments lined up and international participation being arranged, one can definitely declare that Philippine volleyball is indeed on its way up.

Fans would definitely love that, (",)