Photo from Rok Mozic
MANILA, Philippines—Slovenian spiker Rok Možič is excited to return to the Philippines to give back to his Filipino fans and help his team improve in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men’s division on July 4 to 9 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Možič, who campaigned for Slovenia in last year’s VNL leg at Smart Araneta Coliseum, gained a lot of support from Filipino volleyball fans.
The 6-foot-7 outside spiker received an electronic billboard greeting at Robinsons Galleria from his supporters when he celebrated his 21st birthday last January 17.
“It was really crazy and I’m really glad and didn’t know what to say after this because it never happened to me before and it’s not like something that will happen to you every day,” said Možič during his media availability for the Philippine media.
“It’s crazy because I never heard a lot about Philippine volleyball, Filipino fans so it was really great experience for me because when I came there everybody loves volleyball in general not just me or Slovenia but everybody. (I had a) great time there and after all the games also like we won only one game there but it was feeling like everybody just love us the way we play, not like just you win or lose. I can’t wait to come back,” he added.
That’s why the young Slovenian star, who is also playing in Italy with club Verona, is looking forward to interacting with Filipino fans when he returns in July.
“I need and try to say ‘thank you’ as much as possible because they support me now during this season and for sure when I come there, I try to take time to take photos for everybody and speak a little bit,” he said. “It will not be easier because I think there will be more fans in the gym. To say, I’m really getting looking forward to it because that is a great experience there.”
Možič is grateful to all the messages, posts, and stories of his Filipino fans, who have been following his journey through social media to watch his games in Italy and tournaments of the Slovenian national team.
“I need to be happy that I have so much support from all around the world, especially from Filipino fans. They write to me every time, they make me happy also in difficult moments, they put something on (Instagram) story, something funny. It’s just like, they want all the best for me and it is really what makes me happy and I cannot say so many times thank you to them because it’s really something,” he said. “It’s really crazy that support is just going higher and higher and I’m really grateful for everybody that likes my photos, that follow me and I will continue with good work.”
With Slovenia seeing action with China, Brazil, Poland, Italy, Netherlands, Canada, and fan favorite Japan in VNL’s second year in Manila, Možič vows not to disappoint his fans when he leads his team at MOA Arena next month.
“When people buy tickets just to see me, it’s something crazy. I practice now every day, I (do extra work) with the national team just to become better and better to give satisfaction to these people that come to see me and they will enjoy my game,” he said. “So, I will never stop to grow and to play better and better because every time my motivations are, for sure, the fans.”