PVF to go on nationwide search with hopes of finding talented spikers

The Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) will be embarking on a nationwide talent search next year hoping to find enough players at the grassroots level that would help the country regain its once lofty status in the Southeast Asian region.

PVF vice president Gener Dungo said that they are set to visit different provinces all over the country to look for potential national training pool members in both men and women teams where they will get the proper training and gain international exposure. The PVF is also looking to upgrade the skills of all local coaches, especially in the provinces, by providing seminars and other training. “We will be doing a structural reform in the sport next year. Susuyurin namin ang buong Pilipinas upang makakuha ng mga mahuhusay na players na maisasama sa pambansang koponan (We are going around the country to look for potential players that can become national team members). We have to do it because we have been behind our neighbors like Thailand and Indonesia which we use to dominate before," said Dungo. The PVF’s move comes on the heels of the country’s hosting of the 15th Asian Men’s Senior Volleyball Championship set from September 26 to October 5 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and San Andres Gym in Manila. Many-time national coach Sammy Acaylar will handle the 14-member team that has an average height of 6-foot-1. The team, which was only formed last June, played a tune-up match against Lebanon Monday night where they forced their rivals to a five-setter before losing the match. The Nationals will also play consecutive tune-up matches against Iran and Qatar before the tournament opens on Saturday. “We were really surprised with their performance. That was their first game against a foreign team and we lose the game in five sets at 15-13. So we are really hoping they will do well and we expect them to play their hearts out in their desire to give honor to the country," said PVF secretary-general Rustico “Otie" Camangian. The members of the RP men’s national volleyball team are 6-foot-1 Dante Alinsunurin, 6-foot-1 Reny John Balse, 6-foot-1 Clarence Esteban, 6-foot-5 Sylvester Honrade, 6-foot-3 Nino Jeruz, 5-foot-9 Michael Carino, 6-foot-1 Edjet Mabbayad, 6-foot-1 Jeffrey Malabanan, 6-foot Christian Fernandez, 5-foot-9 Raffy Mosuela, 6-foot-3 Chris Macasaet, 5-foot-10, Jessie Lopez, 6-foot-2 Edcer Penetrante and 6-foot Mark Lee. – GMANews.TV