FILE – Philippine women’s volleyball tryout in Subic held in April. PNVF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Gearing up for two important regional tournaments, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation will open its bubble training facilities in Ilocos Norte on July 1.
PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the men’s and women’s teams would kick off their training in earnest for the country’s hosting of the Asian Women’s Seniors Championship in August and the 31st Southeast Asian Games in November.
“Training for the national teams officially starts July 1 and we are very thankful that Ilocos Norte has agreed to adopt our national athletes who will be training in a bubble environment,” said Suzara.
The PNVF has placed the Asian champs on Aug. 29-Sept. 5 to be held in Pampanga and Subic and the SEA Games (Nov. 21-Dec. 2) on the priority list of the national team program.
Suzara made it clear the PNVF training bubbles are exclusive in Ilocos Norte and refuted reports that members of the national volleyball teams have set up a training camp in Baguio City.
“It’s not true that the PNVF has a training bubble in Baguio City. Maybe, certain reports that volleyball players are in Baguio City weren’t confirmed at all,” said Suzara.
Philippine Sports Commission Chief of Staff and national training director Marc Edward Velasco likewise confirmed that no national athlete is training in Baguio at present.
Suzara said at least 10 countries are expected to take part in the Asian championship, a major meet under the Asian Volleyball Confederation and International Volleyball Federation.
There are 52 members of the national team—20 men and 16 women in volleyball and 10 each for men and women in beach volleyball.