Suzara reelected PNVF prexy

MANILA, Philippines — Ramon “Tats” Suzara was elected to a fresh two-year term as president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) during a board meeting.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was elevated as the PNVF’s chairman emeritus, while Dr. Arnel Hajan of Isabela City (Basilan) was named chairman.

Also reelected were Richard “Ricky” Palou as vice president, Donaldo Caringal as secretary-general, Tuguegarao City Councilor Maria Rosario “Charo” Soriano as treasurer and Yul Benosa as auditor.

Making up the board are Anthony “Tonyboy” Liao, Carmela Arcolas Gamboa, Rodrigo Roque, Fr. Victor “Vic” Calvo Jr., Sisinio Ariel Paredes, Karl Jeffrey Chan and Michael Angelo “Miko” Vargas.

Suzara was elected president in February 2021 after the FIVB ordered for the creation of a new national sports association for volleyball under the supervision of the POC headed by President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Tuesday’s elections were supervised by Atty. Alfedo Villamor Jr. and witnessed by POC representative Karen Tanchanco Caballero.

In 2021-22, the PNVF established concrete policies specially in the creation of the national teams for indoor and beach volleyball. Last year, the federation hosted four international competitions—a men and women leg of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s Cup and the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures.

Suzara also worked for the FIVB assigning Brazilian coaches Jorge Edson Souza de Brito (women indoor) and Joao Luciano Kioday (beach volleyball) to handle the national teams. A third Brazilian, Sergio Veloso, is due this month to coach the men’s indoor squad.

Suzara again programmed a busy calendar for 2023 highlighted by the return of the VNL in July and the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures in November as well as a leg of the Asean Men’s Grand Prix.

The PNVF, Suzara added, is also reactivating the national under-18 and collegiate championships for men and women, and the resumption of the Champions League.

The PNVF has also been tapped by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines for the league’s volleyball tournament starting this season.

Vargas replaced Atty. Wharton Chan, whose two-year term as POC caretaker/representative already expired.

End it…end its