Volleyball’s ‘Golden Boy’ tasked to oversee national team

FILE — BVR executives Tony Boy Liao, Charo Soriano and Bea Tan. Photo by Celest Colina/INQUIRER

Anthony “Tonyboy’’ Liao’s crowning achievement so far was his involvement in the country’s lone volleyball gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games. He’ll get another chance to add to that.

The manager of the 1993 women’s squad that topped the regional meet, Liao was named chair of the national team department of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. (PNVFI) on Wednesday.

“It’s a privilege to head the department and I know that the task is challenging, but I promise to do my best,’’ said Liao, who is still in the United States and joined the PNVFI’s first board meeting online.

“I will immediately form my team and discuss the criteria for the selection of the players and the coaching staff,’’ added Liao, who will have Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, a former national team member, as his secretary.

The appointment was formalized by PNVFI president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“He has a vast experience in managing teams and players and is highly-versed on volleyball rules,’’ said Suzara

Also appointed were Richard Palou (deputy secretary general for international affairs), Roger Banzuela (deputy secretary general for member relations), Carmela Gamboa (events council) and Jerry Yee (technical and coaches).

Robert Calo (refereeing and rules), Karl Geoffrey Chan II (development), Donald Caringal (marketing), Rosario Soriano (beach volleyball), Benson Bocboc (volleyball information system), Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (medical), Rodrigo Roque (finance) and Fr. Victor Calvo (legal and ethics) were likewise named.

Alyssa Valdez will head the athletes commission with members Abigail Marano, Dennise Lazaro and Johnvic de Guzman.

Their appointments were made during the first board meeting of the new volleyball federation, on the same day that the federation’s officers were inducted on Wednesday by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino at The Vault in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Liao, who managed the varsity volleyball programs of both Ateneo and La Salle, has been tasked to head the most sensitive position in the newly-formed local governing body for the sport.

Meanwhile, Suzara said he hopes to acquire the services of a foreign coach to help speed up volleyball’s development here.

“The best national teams in Asia are open to foreign coaches. Now, we have to open our doors to foreign coaches, too,’’ said Suzara, whose primary target is a Brazilian coach.

“I want a Brazilian head coach for the next two years. The transfer of their knowledge to our national team will be very good. We will definitely learn a lot,’’ said Suzara.

And why not? Brazil has captured three gold medals at the Olympic Games, won the world championships thrice and was crowned champion of the world league nine times.