NEWLY-INSTALLED Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) President Frank Lao is looking to reshape the country’s volleyball program by creating a more stable national team pool, strengthening grassroots development and putting the federation under a more professional management structure.
Lao said his priority is not simply to produce immediate results but to establish a system that can continuously develop players capable of competing at the international level.
In an interview with Noli Eala’s Power and Play program, Lao said he wants promising players coming out of the collegiate ranks to remain in a dedicated national training program instead of immediately moving into professional competition.
“For me naman, ang tangi kong pangarap, ang gusto ko naman is ‘yung lahat ng players na manggagaling sa college,” Lao said. “Gusto kong ihiwalay ang national team players sa professional players para tuloy-tuloy ang training nila. Team effort kasi ang volleyball.”
The new PNVF chief said maintaining regular training is essential in a team sport, where players need time to develop chemistry and understand their roles.
The federation is also seeking to improve its grassroots program by identifying and developing talent at an earlier age. Lao said the PNVF should not wait until young athletes reach major competitions before taking an active role in their development.
At the senior level, Lao said the PVL has continued to work with the national program by allowing players to join the national team during designated international windows.
“We have a talk with PVL, and they agree naman to let go during the national team period ang mga players nila. Depende din sa mga players din kung papayag sila o hindi,” he said.
Lao also plans to establish an Athletes Commission that will give players a formal voice within the federation. Nominations are expected to begin next month, with the proposed body to include experienced representatives from indoor and beach volleyball.
He is likewise open to expanding the national pool through qualified Filipino-foreign players and naturalized athletes.
“Just like what SGA is doing sa mga basketball players na Fil-Am. Gusto ko lang dagdagan pa mga magagaling natin na mga players, sayang naman,” Lao said.
While building the playing pool is one part of his agenda, Lao also wants to overhaul the way the PNVF operates.
He said the federation should eventually have a professional executive structure, including a chief executive officer who can oversee its daily affairs, rather than relying solely on the president to manage operations.
Lao pointed to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and its executive director Erika Dy as an example of the professional setup he wants to replicate.
“Gusto namin ng ganun din na run professionally. Hindi kailangang umupo para tumulong,” he said.
One of Lao’s most urgent responsibilities is restoring the PNVF’s relationship with the international governing body following its suspension by the FIVB.
Lao said the federation is working to satisfy the requirements imposed by the FIVB and hopes to resolve the matter soon.
“Basta sundin lang namin FIVB rules,” Lao said. “Sana these few weeks maayos na namin ito.”
Lao assumed the PNVF presidency after members of the previous board asked him to help address the federation’s problems involving the FIVB and Asian Volleyball Confederation. (Adrian Co)
