A NEW era for Philippine men’s volleyball is on the horizon as Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni takes over the reins for Alas Pilipinas.
Roughly two months since his appointment, the 70-year-old mentor will step up to the plate for the first time on home soil in Leg 1 of the 2024 SEA V.League against a trifecta of Asian powerhouses in Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand.
It will be Bryan Bagunas and two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez who’ll be headlining Alas’ 14-man roster for the regional meet.
Completing the national squad are Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Jade Lex Disquitado, Kim Malabunga, Noel Kampton, Gabriel Casaña, Josh Retamar, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Choi Diao, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez and Michaelo Buddin.
The 70-year-old mentor is a two-time Olympian, having coached the Italian women’s team in 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney Games. He was formally named by the PNVF last June after being recommended by the FIVB last year.
Joining Frigoni in the coaching staff are Dante Alinsunurin, Matteo Antonucci, Odjie Mamon, trainer Dexter Clamor, physiotherapist Yuichi Akaba and team manager Jerome Guhit.
Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) chief Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara has high hopes for the nationals in the lead-up to the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship in Manila and the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
“Playing against quality teams in Southeast Asia is a great test for our Philippine men’s team with new men’s coach Angiolino Frigoni," he said. “We are excited to see our team compete.”
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