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Star athlete John Vic De Guzman has high hopes of how the men's national volleyball team will perform at the 2022 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, even as the pandemic makes it difficult to prepare for it.

In an interview session during his contract renewal with the GMA Artist Center, John Vic shared the difficulties brought about by the pandemic when it comes to their training regimen, saying that the unusual circumstances make it harder to prepare for the 2022 SEA Games.

“Yung mga health protocols. Ang hirap mag-practice ng naka-mask. Isang factor 'yun sa amin. Sobrang nakakapagod 'yung training ng naka-mask ka,” he explained. “Talon ka ng talon, tumatakbo ka, ang hirap-hirap. Pero lagi kaming positive na may purpose lahat ng pinagdadaanan namin.”

He also added that the team is taking an invaluable lesson from their experience at the AVC Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship that they will take into the 2022 Southeast Asian Games.

“Thankful ako dahil nakita ko gaano talaga nagpakahirap ang Philippine men's national volleyball team na mai-angat ang flag ng Philippines,” he said. “Kahit natalo kami, iba pa rin 'yung napanalunan naming experience na mababaon namin sa SEA Games.”

“Kapag nakapaglaro na para sa amin 'yung dalawang imports namin sa Japan, alam kong magiging mas maganda ang resulta. 'Yung ang target, since naka-silver na kami, kunin na 'yung gold,” he continued.

As both an athlete and a talent of the GMA Artist Center, John Vic says he is grateful for the understanding the network has extended to him.

“Kapag may international competition, I'll still be playing for the national team. Kapag off-season, doon naman ako papasok sa pagiging artista,” he said. “Napakahirap pagsabayin ng pagiging artista at volleyball dahil may isa-sacrifice ka. But still, sobrang happy ako dahil 'yung passion ko sa paglalaro at acting napagsasabay ko sila.”

Take a look back at the 2019 Sea Games win of John Vic and the men's national volleyball team in the gallery below.