Jaja Santiago, a Filipina volleyball, was invited by a Japanese club to play for them as their import. As of Dec. 11, 2018, the volleyball superstar was in the top 3 categories: 2nd overall in spiking success rate (51.9%), #3 in most tallied number of aces (11), and #6 in service efficiency (13%). Alongside Jaja, her sister, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, is also suited for another Japanese club in the same league. Before them, Alyssa “The Phenom” Valdez, became an import in Thailand and Chinese Taipei last 2017. In addition, other Filipino pride, Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas played and will play in the Japanese men’s league. Even with these remarks, the Philippines ranked #117 at the volleyball world ranking as of October 21, 2018. What is the problem? Our players? No, it is the lack of support from the volleyball federation here in our country.
More than a decade ago, the last time the Philippines competed internationally was the 23rd Southeast Asian Games which was held here in the Philippines. They bagged the bronze medal, behind Thailand and Vietnam. As a result of the 10-year absence, the players suffered so much. Last February 2013, the role of Gener Dungo, the president of the dissolved PVF, was questioned by former PVF board member Dr. Adrian Laurel. Together with his team, PVF suspended secretary Vangie De Jesus, UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines), NCAA (The National Collegiate Athletic Association), and referees, Gener Dungo was ejected and later acknowledged by the Philippine Sportswriters Association. He (Dungo) was invited to appear, but he declined. The reason for the suspension of Vangie De Jesus? The creation of a national team to participate in the 27th SEA Games without the consent of the PVF board committee. A year later, PVF held a 3-day try-out that made the existence of Amihan (women’s) and Bagwis (men’s) volleyball teams. But, politics again!
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“The greatest team we never had” - this is what they called for by volleyball supporters. The author of this essay, who is a volleyball fanatic, shed tears. That team was captained by Rachel Daquis and managed by Michelle Datuin. Due to the conflict between the players and the PVF board committee, Amihan and Bagwis were dissolved, which resulted in the disappointment of volleyball fans. FIVB learned about the situation and condemned the PVF for nullification of authority. These events led to the creation of LVPI (Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc.) by the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee). With the help of LVPI, and “Tats” Suraza, a former PSL (Philippine SuperLiga) president from 2013 until 2018, the Philippines was able to compete in the SEA Games, both men and women after 10-year inactivity. Due to the long absence, a huge gap in the skills of Filipino players was evident, if compared to neighbors like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Sadly, politics is politics. It is inevitable.
2017 is the year when Philippine volleyball marked a promising future. The country continues to send its representatives to international competitions – thanks to LVPI, POC, and FIVB. LVPI sent the team to Japan for further enhancement of skills and this made the team “dangerous” as it competed in the Asian Games last August 2018. Although they finished 8th in the competition, still the fans were proud as they showed what they had learned.
“Kahit saan man meron” as they say. Politics is always present; it cannot be denied. According to Mr. Jaksuwan Tocharoen, a Thai Secretary-General of the Thailand Volleyball Association, “The best way to build confidence on the court is by playing.” But the past is past. Nonetheless, the players are there, and the support is now there. And our hope for better volleyball quality is finally living!
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