THERE’s a deeper connection between Team USA and the Philippines that goes beyond the players and their fast-rising Filipino fanbase.
And that connection is David Dantes, USA Volleyball’s team manager, whose parents are Filipinos who resided in Quezon City before immigrating to the United States.
READ: Japan trumps Team USA in VNL Manila crowd darling duel
Looking at his past and present involvement in the sport, one can say that Dantes lives for volleyball. He has taken managerial roles for University of Georgia (2011 to 2017) and University of California, Berkeley (2017 to present), handling the two US NCAA schools' day-to-day-operations.
Before taking on front office duties, he was a two-time champion coach with Yale University where he led its team to the Northeast Women's League title and National Club Volleyball Federation Division II National Championship.
He concurrently serves as a performance analyst for the U.S. men’s sitting national team and was a technical support team member for the men’s indoor team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Back in Manila, a decade later
The California-based national team official is here for his first visit in a decade as head of Team USA’s first Philippine trip to compete in the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Manila leg.
“It’s my first time back for like 10 years, so it’s really great to be back. My parents are from here and I think the guys right now are having a wonderful experience. I think that’s been the best part,” said Dantes.
“For most of our team, it’s their first time here and we love it. They love the fans, they love the passion, couldn’t be happier.”
For him, what stood out the most for every team member in their week-long VNL trip was the Filipino fans’ unwavering love for volleyball.
“It’s awesome. We want the sport to be popular everywhere. We want the fans to be as passionate as Filipino fans. So this means the world to us, and especially to our guys,” Dantes said.
Only the beginning for PH volleyball
He might not have followed Philippine volleyball for some time, but he plans to do so in the coming days.
One reason is that one of his former University of Georgia players, Erica Staunton, will be the guest import of eight-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) champion Creamline in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July.
“I don’t (follow Philippine volleyball as much) but I will now. One of my athletes in (University of) Georgia just started for Creamline last week. Her name’s Erica Staunton. So I will be watching it now because she’ll play,” he said.
He also gave advice on how to further develop the sport in the country based on his experience managing American college and national teams.
“That (part of helping grow Philippine volleyball) excites me a lot because I love volleyball, obviously, and it’s really cool to see that (the place) where I’m from, where my parents are from, loves it as passionately (as I do).
“It almost makes me want to come back and see the sport grow even more. I mean, it’s so cool to see Philippines growing in the professional sport really quickly, which is great,” said Dantes.
His best advice?
“Just play as much as possible. I think it all starts in the grassroots level. Just provide as many opportunities as you can and let the kids, let the youth play as much as they can.”
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