PVF taps Lecain for grassroots program for coaches, players

PHILIPPINE Volleyball Federation (PVF) president Gener Dungo will tap Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) beach volleyball consultant Eric Lecain to help them in the PVF-proposed training program for local coaches and players.

“We will tap his expertise to help us with our beach volley programs,” Dungo told Sun. Star Cebu in a phone interview.

When the Philippine beach volley team had a poor showing in the recent Philippine National Games (PNG) and lost to two Cebu teams, PSC chairman Ritchie Garcia had their allowances removed and the team was later disbanded.

“As of now, we are not going to form a national team but just a national training pool. We are already going around the country to scout for potential candidates, which includes the players from Cebu. The recruiting is spear- headed by PVF beach volley director Roger Vanzuela,” Gener said.

Lecain is currently in Cebu to supervise the construction of the PSC-funded sand court in Fort San Pedro. It will be used for the PSC and Cebu City Sports Commission grassroots programs and for future major beach volley tournaments. The sand court is scheduled to be finished by October.

Lecain was the national beach volleyball team head coach before he became a consultant for the PSC.

He also helped put up the men’s and women’s Cebu beach volley team that played in the PNG. Former University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) lady spiker Erika Verano said Lecain has helped raise the bar in the Cebu beach volley community and they are thankful for Lecain’s faith in them.

The Cebu teams that beat the then national team was com- posed of USPF Edward Ybanez, University of the Visayas (UV) Mike Abria and Jade Becaldo and former PH player Jonrey Sasing. Former national player Jusabelle Brillo and Verano played for the women’s team.

Lecain hopes that the empty slots for the national team will be filled by Cebu players and that the national training venue will be move in Cebu.

“Cebu players are the best in the country,” said Lecain. ISL