Just two months into his tenure as coach of the national men's volleyball team, known as Alas Pilipinas, ANGIOLINO Frigoni has received near unanimous praise from players for the innovations that he has brought to the squad.
He has been hailed as the best coach the players have ever had and his ultimate skill seems to be breaking down the complex nature of volleyball into simple, understandable pieces that can be easily executed, resulting in a better performance by the players.
He has elevated the level of the team's performance and the result is there for all to see. In the 2024 SEA V.League just two weeks ago, which was Frigoni's first chance at handling the national team, Alas Pilipinas captured third place.
He has given the players a new sense of purpose, giving them his trust and allowing them to try new things such as moving one player from outside hitter to libero. It seems the players have been liberated from their old habits and have embraced new thoughts and techniques.
Highlight was the team's victory of regional powerhouse Vietnam that allowed Alas to secure its first international podium finish since capturing a historic men’s volleyball silver, also on home soil, in the 30th SEA Games.
READ: Alas Men take SEA V.League bronze medal after loss to Thailand
The 70-year-old Italian mentor is known to be blunt and unapologetic in going about his task and the result has been nothing but spectacular.
After seeing how Frigoni has woven his magic on the team, we asked some players the effect of the coach on their game and their attitude.
BRYAN BAGUNAS: ‘World-class’
One of the Philippine national team’s longest-tenured stars had nothing but praise for how Frigoni brought a formidable, European brand of volleyball to Alas in such short a time.
“So far, siyempre sobrang madami kaming natututunan. Ibang-iba talaga ‘yung mga tinuturo niya. Talagang pang-world class kasi alam naman natin si coach Angelo, isa siyang world champion din. Sobrang malaking tulong para sa’min kasi mas natututo kaming makapaglaro ng high level.
“Si coach Angelo, lahat ng players pinagkakatiwalaan kaya every player talaga, mag-sstep up kahit sino ipasok.”
OWA RETAMAR: ‘Sobrang galing at strict’
As one of the national team’s pillars in its historic silver medal conquest at the 30th SEA Games in 2019, Retamar is pleased to see Frigoni employ a high-level and professional approach to Alas players, old and new.
“Sobrang taas ng tingin ko sa team ko kasi unang-una, may sobrang galing at strict kami na head coach. Sinamahan pa nila coach Dante (Alinsunurin), coach Odjie (Mamon), coach Dex (Clamor), tsaka ‘yung mga coaching staff. Grabe ‘yung sineset nila kaya nakakatuwa saka nakaka-boost din na mag-training lagi.
“May mga same na ginagawa, may mas inimprove pa, kaya maganda ‘yung program ng team ngayon.”
KIM MALABUNGA: ‘Magaan i-apply sa laro’
At 28 years old, Malabunga is the oldest player in the Alas roster.
The eventual 2nd best middle blocker of Leg 1 of the regional meet said the team is at ease with Frigoni’s system although they’re still striving to perfect his teachings one game at a time.
“Yung bagong program kasi is ang gaan i-apply sa laro. Maraming bago and maraming tinuturo. ‘Di man namin totally na-eexecute lahat ‘yung mga pinapagawa niya pero step-by-step talaga ‘yung kailangan para sa next tournament.
“Feeling ko naman paangat na nang paangat ‘yung national team ngayon. Nakita niyo, ‘yung mga bagong player, nag-step-up sila kahit may mga mas matatanda.”
BUDS BUDDIN: ‘Grabe ‘yung trust’
He's into the new coach's system for just two weeks, but Alas debutant and 2024 SEA V.League Leg 1’s 2nd best outside hitter is grateful for the immense trust he received from Frigoni and the rest of the national coaches.
Even on such short notice, Buddin took on the challenge and has ably filled the void left by volleyball star Marck Espejo who will be playing in Japan.
“Last, last week lang talaga ako nag-training sa kanila kaya sobrang thankful ako na grabe ‘yung trust sa’kin ng mga coaches ko na i-first six ako.
“Nu’ng una, nahirapan ako i-adapt yung sistema nila pero dahil kina Coach Dante, pati yung mga kuya ko, nandyan sila para i-guide ako and unti-unti kong na-aadapt ‘yung sistema. In-aapply ko nang in-aapply hanggang sa nakuha ko naman.”
NOEL KAMPTON: ‘High-level na coach’
From college to the international stage, Noel Kampton made sure he'd step in bigtime for Alas in Bagunas' injury-prompted absence.
"Sobrang masaya, sobrang enjoy and, of course, sobrang nakakapagod din coming from a new system, new coach, coach Angelo, Nu'ng una, hindi namin siya ma-gets but in the end, naiintindihan namin na grabe, ito pa lang yung high-level na coach, 'yung Olympian na coach, sobrang ganda.
"Sabi niya nga, hindi pa kami high level, give us one more year or two years, basta 'yung process, aayos lalaro namin kasi sobrang okay si coach Angelo, wala talaga akong masabi."
LOUIE RAMIREZ: ‘Sobrang ganda, sobrang strict’
Another Alas debutant and reigning NCAA MVP Ramirez wasn’t fazed one bit by the limelight of the international stage.
And as one of two national team stars from the 100-year-old collegiate league, Ramirez was thrilled to represent Perpetual and the NCAA under such a sharp and smooth system.
“Sobrang ganda ng sistema ni coach Frigoni kasi sobrang natututo kaming mga players tsaka sobrang strict nya na nakakaganda sa team tsaka yun all throughout ang sobrang ganda ng sistema ni coach."
JOSH YBAÑEZ: ‘Sobrang dami kong natututunan’
The UAAP MVP, meanwhile, took on a drastic shift in playing as a libero despite being a multi-awarded outside hitter in the college ranks.
With a national team program built as a conducive learning environment, Ybañez couldn’t be more glad to get his Alas career underway under Frigoni’s wing.
"Sobrang saya ko sa bagong role ko lalo na dito sa Alas kasi sobrang dami kong natututunan from the coaches. Sobrang thankful ako, of course, sa experience na naglalaro ako dito sa national team.
“Sobrang happy ko (rin na nandito) si coach Odjie at coach Angelo dahil sobrang mino-motivate nila ko kaya nailalabas ko talaga ‘yung laro ko as a libero.”
MARCK ESPEJO: ‘Very basic volleyball (…) pero mahirap’
Japan-bound Espejo has yet to suit up for Frigoni’s Alas, and may have to wait until next year before he gets a chance to do so.
But after watching Alas’ first three matches under the Italian mentor, he believes the national team program is in great hands with how Frigoni has fleshed out the fundamentals of the game down to a tee.
“Kay coach Angelo po, very basic volleyball lang po (tinuturo niya). Pinapakita niya lang po sa’min kung paano talaga maglaro ng volleyball. Mahirap pero (tinuturo niya talaga) kung gaano kadali i-execute ‘yung mga bagay.
“Sa opensa, medyo makakadikit naman (kami) pero syempre ‘yung mga touches pa rin, ball control, du’n pa kami medyo nahirapan and sa errors po. Pero in time, with young players, mag-iimprove pa po talaga kami.”
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