THERE’s more than a few things that Philippine men’s national volleyball team head coach Sergio Veloso hopes to change before the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship reaches local shores.
One of such bewildering areas was how international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games — last year’s edition of the biennial meet in particular — coincided with college volleyball tournaments resulting in the unavailability of a handful of players for national team duty.
READ: Philippines named host of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship
But standing out on his wishlist of reforms: a change in ethos and a sharper work ethic from every individual working for and with the country’s volleyball programs, more so ahead of the Philippines’ breakthrough World Championship stint next year.
Coinciding with the global meet’s host announcement on Wednesday evening was his Ateneo side’s brave five-set stand, albeit a loss, to National University. Results aside, the mental fortitude of his young Blue Eagles is one he’d want to instill to the men’s team once he returns to coaching duties for the nationals after UAAP Season 86.
“I saw here in the Philippines a lot of potential, no matter if men’s or women’s, but the mentality here is not so professional. This is important. When I talk (about) professional, it’s not that I receive money. (For instance), I can receive money but I’m not professional,” said Veloso.
Mental toughness is one thing but the fundamentals of physical fitness as far as the men’s national team is concerned hasn’t quite reached the level he’d hope for his wards to be at — even citing how his physique as an ‘old man’ was better during his first days at the helm for the Philippine side.
“I talked to the guys (Philippine men’s national team). When I started to work (as head coach), I thought: ‘Hey, I’m more fit, more strong than you guys. I’m an old man!’ And the guys looked at me and they were like ‘yeah.’ I put in the (fitness) machine and it (showed) more than double than the players.
Veloso added: ‘Hey, how would you play with the (other teams)?’ Now here in the men’s, (Poland) is the top one. Look at our guys when they stand next to the international guys, they are strong, they are smart, they know how to play.”
Veloso eyes unity for Philippine volleyball
Using world volleyball powers Turkiye and Poland as examples, Veloso pointed out how the successes now reaped by both nations weren’t built overnight but were made with an active regard not only for who will call the shots or lead the program, but for each and every stakeholder.
“Everybody must understand (it’s) not only the coach, not only the manager, but everybody who works in the volleyball (programs) are the most important. If we have a strong national team, what will happen? We can split this for the college (players), for the other groups and everybody can work together.” said Veloso.
And having to juggle college and national team coaching duties has not and will not dampen his commitment for both programs to flourish.
“This, I think, is the difference about my mentality because I look all the time the best for the volleyball. I look all the time for the best of Philippines national team.
“(But) when I stepped in Ateneo (to coach), I have a box. I close the national team box and I open a new box, I'm full time with this boxes. In this situation, I'm so professional and I know how to walk in these two situations.”
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