World Volley draws boost from MVP

MANILA, Philippines — Top-notch sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) served an ace by committing to support and guarantee the country’s successful solo hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men World Championship set Sept. 12 to 28 next year.

Pangilinan made the solid commitment during a recent meeting at his PLDT office in Makati City with Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio and PLDT Business Transformation Group head and sports leader Ricky Vargas.

“Mr. MVP has once again brought the meaning of sports patron to a superlative level,” Suzara said. “With Mr. MVP’s commitment, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will be shifting to higher gear in preparations for the world championship which is a little over a year away.”

The confidence level is consistently increasing on the national men’s team, Alas Pilipinas, which after having been formed barely a month ago, booked bronze medal finishes in the Southeast Asia Men’s V.League in Manila and Indonesia.

“Those bronze medals are milestones for Philippine men’s volleyball in Southeast Asia,” Suzara said. “The program is working and we are confident that Alas Pilipinas will make an impact in the world championship.”

The FIVB MWCH 2025 will feature the world’s top 32 teams, including the Philippines as host, and is initially set at two venues – Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena.

The official kickoff will be the draw set on Sept. 14 and will be trumpeted by a series of friendly matches between two top Japanese club teams and Alas Pilipinas Men and Women squads on Sept. 7 and 8 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Pangilinan is a vital part of the FIVB MWCH LOC Board co-chaired by youthful Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Sec. Christina Garcia Frascom with Suzara as president.

With Pangilinan in the LOC Board are Sen.Pia Cayetano, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann.