FRANK Lao is putting an extra P100,000 on the line for every Filipino beach volleyball player who strikes Asian Games gold.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president and Strong Group Athletics founder has pledged the bonus for each member of the national teams if they top the podium at Aichi-Nagoya, adding another incentive to a campaign already carrying a hefty government reward.
Under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, an Asian Games gold medal carries a P2 million cash incentive.
Because beach volleyball teams consist of two players, the reward is split equally, giving each member of a gold-winning pair P1 million from the government alone.
Lao’s pledge would come on top of that.
“I hope magtuloy-tuloy ang panalo, ito naman ang aim natin eh, to conquer Asia and then eventually, we will try to pool our resources to dominate the world, suntok sa buwan, pero walang imposible,” the PNVF president said.
So far, so good
The Philippine pairs are now battling through the preliminary phase at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court, with the women’s side off to a strong start.
Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara remain unbeaten in Pool G after sweeping Maldives, 21-6, 21-11, routing Mongolia, 21-3, 21-3, and beating Hong Kong, China, 21-19, 21-17, for a 3-0 record.
Veterans Bernadeth Pons and Sisi Rondina, the historic SEA Games gold medal-winning pair, are 1-1 in Pool E. They opened with a 21-6, 21-6 sweep of Bangladesh before falling to Kazakhstan, 17-21, 21-10, 10-15.
On the men’s side, James Buytrago and Ronniel Rosales split their first two Pool C matches, beating Mongolia, 21-11, 21-15, before losing to Vietnam, 22-24, 15-21.
Alnakran Abdilla and Lerry John Francisco, meanwhile, face a tougher road in Pool A after losses to Qatar, 7-21, 10-21, and Oman, 14-21, 26-28.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
