PHL SPIKERS MAGSISIMULA NA SA SEAG BUILDUP

Ngayon pa lang ay pinaghahandaan na ng national men’s volleyball team ang 31st Southeast Asian Games sa Hanoi, Vietnam.

Sa panayam ng The Athletes Tribune nitong Lunes ng gabi, sinabi ni Bryan Bagunas na sisimulan na nila ang kanilang pag-eensayo sa Enero upang paghandaan ang biennial meet na gaganapin sa Nobyembre sa susunod na taon.

Si Bagunas ang cornerstone ng national spikers, at kasama siya sa national team na nagpabagsak sa Thailand sa thrilling five-set classic noong 30th SEA Games last year in Pasig City.

At kahit nagapi sila ng Indonesia sa kanilang gold medal match, pasok na sa kasaysayan ang national spikers dahil sa kanilang silver finish.

“We had a meeting last Saturday and they said that they are planning to resume our training in January. It’s been a while since the last time we played and we’re all excited to start our training,” sabi ni Bagunas, na dating National University star.

“We really need to get back since we are now holding on to something – the silver medal.”

“Even before the SEA Games, we were already saying that a podium finish would be an achievement,” sabi ni Bagunas. “We really need to prove something this time. Winning a gold medal in the next SEA Games would definitely increase the profile and level of play of men’s volleyball in the country.”

“We really need to prove something. I also want our team to gain exposure in other high level tourneys like the Asian Games. This is not for me or my teammates, but for the next generation of players as well,” dagdag pa niya.