FILE — Philippine women’s volleyball team at the SEA Games in Singapore. Photo by Raffy Lerma
MANILA, Philippines — The newly-established Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. got a significant shot in the arm after gaining approval from the country’s brightest volleyball stars.
Philippine volleyball stars Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago and Aby Maraño expressed their all-out support for the PNVFI, which was officially recognized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as one of its members during its recent World Congress.
“We have a lot of trust in the PNVFI and for us players, we will do our best to contribute and help our volleyball community,” said Santiago, who is currently playing in Japan, in Filipino Tuesday during the PSA Forum.
The formation of the PNVFI is also a big step toward having a more unified Philippine volleyball.
Among the PNVFI’s plans this year is the launch of a national league in July where the country’s top eight teams, including at least one each from Visayas and Mindanao, will participate.
“We are giving our support to PNVFI and we’re going to play our roles as athletes,” Maraño said in Filipino.
“We’re very thankful for all the plans being laid out [for Philippine volleyball]. Hopefully, we all get to deliver these plans together,” Valdez said in Filipino.