PLDT Home Fibr links up with national volleybelles

MANILA, Philippines - Thanks to PLDT Home’s Fibr broadband, the Philippine women’s volleyball team is back sending the right signal.

It’s the first time in years that a national team was formed with the hope of making its presence felt in the international arena.

The players, composed of the finest and most gracious volleyball players in the country, were introduced to the media yesterday in Aracama at The Fort.

They will compete in the Asian Volleyball Championship (AVC) in Thailand from Sept. 13 to 21. It’s the first international stint for most if not all of them.

“We are all rookies here in an international tournament. But we are here to represent our country and prove that we can compete,” said team captain Angelica Tabaquero.

“We know that this is a different level. But we are ready. Lalaban kami,” said the former Santo Tomas stalwart now playing for the Petron Lady Spikers in the Philippine Super Liga.

In the AVC, the Philippines is bracketed with India, Iran and China. There are four groups of four teams each with the top eight making it to the quarterfinals.

The Philippines is guaranteed to play seven games all the way up to the qualification matches. It’s not an easy task going up against Asia’s best but everybody’s hopeful.

“We have a goal here and it’s not just to compete and be there. We all have a goal in our minds,” said Ian Laurel, vice president of SportsCore Event Management and Consultancy, Inc.

SportsCore or Score helped the Philippine Volleyball Federation now under Karl Chan put up the team, and hooked it up with PLDT Home’s Fibr, the perfect partner.

If the Philippines lands in the top eight in Thailand, the same team will be given the chance to compete in the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar in December.

“We see a great potential in these athletes and we are very excited. It is with great pride that Fibr, the most powerful broadband, is supporting the country’s most powerful volleyball team,” said Gary Dujali, head of PLDT Home Fibr.

Of course, PLDT big boss Manny V. Pangilinan is behind all the support to the team, just as much as MVP Sports Foundation supports badminton, basketball, boxing, tennis, football, taekwondo, running and golf.

“This is all part of MVP’s advocacy for youth development,” said Dujali.

Iggy Clavecilla of the Philippine Sports Commission graced the affair and said the government sports agency is fully behind the team that was just formed.

“The last time a national team was formed was in 2005 and the fact we have one right now is a very big positive step.  Philippine volleyball was stagnant for many years. Pero umuusad na,” he said.

“They are all willing to represent our country and that is the strength of this team,” said head coach Nes Pamilar during the well-attended and well-organized press launch.

The other members of the team are Faye Guevarra, Wenneth Eulalio, Michelle Datuin, Sandra delos Santos, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Honey Royse Tubino, Analyn Joy Benito, Pau Soriano, Rosemarie Vargas, Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone, Angela Banting, May Jennifer Macatuno, Jheck Dionela, Arianne Argarin, Chie Saet and Danika Gendrauli.

Also part of the team are team manager Sammy Acaylar, assistant coach Norman Miguel, therapist Gian Monsalve, statistician Benson Bocboc and trainer Sherwin Meneses.

Laurel said they started from scratch building this team and he’s hoping that the national team is here to stay.

“We are building from the ground up. Nakalubog na sa putik eh. We are not going to Thailand and disband the team after we come home. We are hoping for a viable program that will continue on.

“The PVF is here to provide the platform. It will all be a waste if we don’t have a national team,” said Laurel.

Win or lose, this team is on the right track.