Philippine national volleyball teams get big boost with PLDT partnership
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) received a shot in the arm for its various national team programs following a partnership with telco company PLDT.
Ahead of its participation in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in May, the PNVF inked a two-year deal with PLDT on Friday — marking the company's return to the national volleyball team program for the first time since 2014.
PLDT is set to provide financial support for the overseas training of the federation's indoor and beach volleyball teams.
PNVF chief Tats Suzara underscored the importance of the partnership to grow the sport in the Philippines.
"For me, it's amazing, it's a big boost. We all need the support from PLDT," Suzara said.
As far as PLDT is concerned, the company wants to help Philippine volleyball, something akin to what PLDT sister company Smart has done for Gilas Pilipinas.
"It's similar to the aspirations of Tats and the federation of volleyball. How do we now raise through the rankings globally?," PLDT CEO Al Panlilio said.
But Panlilio maintained that PLDT is here for the long run and will not be expecting results too quickly.
The sportsman believes that PLDT, as PNVF's partners, must need to be patient.
"I think supporting sports is not a one time thing, it's not only when people are doing well," said Panlilio.
"Before you reach that level, there's a lot of hard work for this to happen," he added.
Preparations have already begun for the PNVF volleyball teams with the men's and women's squad currently in Brisbane.
Meanwhile, the men's indoor team is set to fly to Qatar next week while the women's side will be headed to Brazil in early April.
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