By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The Philippines is all set to host the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships on Sept. 12-28 at the Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alas Pilipinas, mentored by Italian Angiolino Frigoni, eyes victory over No. 13 Iran, African champion and No. 23 Egypt as well as No. 42 Tunisia in Pool A of the 32-nation event the country is hosting for the first time.
“We are ready to make history,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation Ramon “Tats” Suzara said during the team’s media day at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila.
“We are days away from history. Let’s make this happen and show the world that the Filipinos are one of the best fans in the world,” Suzara, also serving as president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and executive vice president of the FIVB, added.
Suzara also leads the world championship’s Local Organizing Committee, co-chaired by Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
“It’s an honor to be part of this historic event. We’re excited to play and show the level and brand of Philippine volleyball in the world stage,” said Marck Espejo, who joined the Alas Pilipinas team and coaching staff touring the 12 permanent galleries that exhibit the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines.
Alas, which played tune-up games in Romania, Morocco and Portugal, faces Tunisia at 7 p.m. on Sept. 12, after the opening ceremony featuring K-POP group BOYNEXTDOOR at 4:30 p.m.
“Sa matagal naming pagsasama sa Europe, nakilala po namin lalo ang isa’t isa. Ready na po kami maglaro para sa bayan. Pangakong gagawin po namin ‘yung best namin hindi lang basta makadikit o makakuha ng set pero para manalo ng games (During our long time together in Europe, we got to know each other better. We are ready to play for the country. We promise to do our best, not just to get close or a set, but to win games),” Espejo said. (PNA)
