PLDT HOME’s Fibr brings the most powerful volleyball team to international stage

Manila, Philippines – The country’s volleyball's elite hits the international stage from September 13 to 21 when the highly-fancied Philippine Volleyball squad, a team of top players, head for Thailand for the Asian Volleyball Championship (AVC).

Local volleyball has been experiencing a resurgence lately as talent-laden collegiate and other super leagues have captured the imagination of the media, thanks to exciting games fuelled by young, never-say-die players who think of nothing but giving the public a million thrills each time they play.

PLDT HOME through Fibr, its most powerful broadband, is supporting the team’s shot for sporting glory in Thailand as part of the MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan) group’s advocacy for youth development and sports excellence in the country.

Mr. Pangilinan supports a number of athletic endeavors, including the Smart Gilas basketball team which snagged the silver medal in the FIBA championship held in Manila last month, and the national Taekwondo team which won gold and silver medals in the World Youth Championship in China recently.

 “We see great potential for sports excellence in these athletes,” said Gary Dujali, VP and head of PLDT HOME Fibr broadband. “This newly-formed squad has some of the best players in Philippine volleyball. It is with great pride that the most powerful broadband is supporting the country’s most powerful volleyball team.”

The Philippine Volleyball squad was introduced today at a press conference held at Aracama, in Bonifacio Global City. According to Coach Nes Pamilar, the team held try-outs and selected players from some of the top collegiate teams and the Philippine Super Liga. The girls have been going through intensive training since then to whip the team in top shape.

“This is a tough tournament,” acknowledged Mr. Pamilar. “Our main goal is to gain experience through this international league. We’re not aiming for the championship, but we will give it our all. We are aiming for a slot in the top eight, since it is a requirement of the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) that the team makes it to the top eight so the girls can be sent to the Southeast Asian Games,” he said.

Among the top players in the squad are team captain Angeli Tabaquero, an open spiker from UST who now plays for the Petron Lady Spikers; Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, a utility spiker also from UST and playing for Petron as well; and Angelique Beatrice “Jheck” Dionela, a defense specialist from the University of Perpetual Help who now suits up for the Cagayan Valley Lady Rising Suns.

“We’re very happy to have the full support of our fellow Filipinos plus support from private companies like PLDT,” said Tabaquero.  “Sana, ito na. Sana tuloy-tuloy na. I can't wait for us to be back on top. Gusto kong ipakita sa ibang bansa na ito kami. May ibubuga kami."

Coach Pamilar likewise expressed gratitude to individuals and organizations who now support the Philippine Women’s Volleyball Team:  “ Sobrang thankful tayo, especially to PLDT HOME for the morale at lalo na sa financial support na natatanggap namin sa kanila. Yan ang kailangan natin. Yung mga developments tulad nito make you excited para sa future ng Philippine volleyball.”

The AVC is held every year under the auspices of the FIVB (Federation Internationale de Volleyball), which governs, manages and communicates all forms of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball competitions worldwide. This year, 16 countries will be participating in the league.

The Philippines first joined the AVC league in 1983. This will be the 8^th time the country will participate  in this prestigious tourney.

The Philippines has a long way to go in re-establishing its foothold in regional volleyball after a  long hiatus from international competition. But because of PLDT HOME’s support, the country’s powerful volleybelles are now represented again on foreign soil. It is, as Coach Pamilar described, “the first of many baby steps our nation is going to have to undertake in this tough  mission.”

PLDT HOME supports the move to revive the support for Philippine volleyball by getting the entire nation’s backing as the team participates in an international league.

 The competition will be held at the Gym Mall Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. First round of games for the Philippines will be as follows:

1^st round – Philippines vs. India

2^nd round – Philippines vs. Iran

3^rd round – Philippines vs. China

To view the players’ profiles and schedule of games, visit pldthome.com.

Here is the complete team roster:

                                                            

PLDT Fibr is HOME’s most powerful broadband that offers seamless and simultaneous browsing through high-speed internet with speeds of up to 100Mbps. Subscribers can also enjoy over 200 blockbuster movies-on-demand via Clickplay. Fibr’s dedicated connection also allows subscribers to watch 78 Cignal Digital TV channels including 19 in high definition.

Fibr is now available in over 700 subdivisions in key cities nationwide like Forbes Park, Dasmarinas Village, Ayala Alabang, Greenhills, Valle Verde, White Plains, and Greenmeadows in Metro Manila; Cebu Royale Estate and Beverly Hills in Cebu; and Ladislawa Garden Village in Davao. Visit pldthome.com for more details.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Paulo Bautista, 0919.839.8363, ghbautista@ddbphil.com

Millet Liberato, 0939.904.1226, mdliberato@ddbphil.com