Alas Pilipinas men during the AVC Challenge Cup. —AVC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Alas Pilipinas men’s team will have a new coach in seasoned Italian tactician Angiolino Frigoni, according to Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara.
Suzara on Saturday bared that Frigoni has taken over the Philippine men’s volleyball team program, succeeding Brazilian Sergio Veloso, who will be now the program director for the boys and girls grassroots.
“We have a new Italian coach. He’s a two-time Olympic coach Frigoni. He’s here to share with us his expertise and to bring our team and elevate their skills next year,” said Suzara during the penultimate day of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: Alas Pilipinas finish 10th in AVC Challenge Cup
In time for the Alas’ participation in the FIVB World Championship next year in Manila, the Filipino Spikers get a timely boost from an Olympian coach, who is a decorated volleyball personality in the world.
Frigoni will have a chance to develop Alas stars Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas, setter Owa Retamar, and other Filipino players.
Suzara said Veloso will handle the grassroots after two years with the men’s team, ending his stint in the AVC Challenge Cup for Bahrain.
The Brazilian will form a team and coaching staff as the country participates in the under-18 boys in Bahrain and under-20 women in the AIMAG in Bangkok in November.
READ: Alas Pilipinas men beat Indonesia, advance to battle for 9th
“Sergio will now be the director for the junior development so we’re now setting up a junior development program. Sergio will be in charge of the under 18, under 20,” Suzara said. “He’s basically in charge of feeding the senior national team with very young players. He’s focused more on the upcoming university players to play in the national team
“He needs to get a pool of coaches to help him. He will start recruiting players in the province he’ll go to Cebu in the Palarong Pambansa and other national tournaments,” he added.
Suzara said that Veloso should retain Japanese coach Taka Minowa for the girls’ team, which won bronze in the Princess Cup and joined the Asian U18 women’s in Thailand.
The PNVF will be in the US for 10 days to discover Filipino-American talents for men’s and women’s indoor volleyball as well as for beach volleyball.