PHL volley squad finds solid partners

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Philippine women’s volleyball team can look forward to the 2019 Southeast Asian Games knowing that there are private individuals that they can count on.

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) president Peter Cayco said that Rebisco, a local snack food company that was founded in 1963, will be there to help the team in the years to come.

“Rebisco is the team sponsor and has committed their support for the national team until the 30th SEA Games in 2019,” said Cayco the other day.

“Rebisco shall be with the LVPI and the national team in our journey to volleyball excellence,” added Cayco, who recently took over Jose Romasanta as LVPI president.

Rebisco owner Jonathan Ng lauded the efforts of the LVPI and Philippine women’s team that competed in the just-concluded 18th Asian Games in Indonesia.

It’s the first time in 36 years that the Philippines fielded a volleyball team in the Asian Games. The team’s stint in the 2017 SEA Games was also a first in a decade.

Philippine volleyball getting back in the swing of things is a testament to the LVPI leadership – both under Romasanta and then Cayco.

The Rebisco owner said the efforts don’t go unnoticed.

“One thing we really asked from the LVPI is to come up with a serious program, and we will be serious in our commitment to support the national team program,” said Ng.

“It seems that the program is well on its way to something pretty special and we are happy to be part of this,” he added.

Aside from Rebisco, the LVPI and the national team can count heavily on the support of TV5 for the next two years.

“We’re good to go until March 31, 2020 regarding the programs and funding of the women’s team,” said Cayco.

“We looked for our own benefactors and they responded. With the sponsorships secured, we can comfortably plan ahead," he added.