Philippine sports leaders called for unity and cooperation among all stakeholders last Wednesday night to ensure the country successfully hosts the much-anticipated 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino graced the official launch of the world tilt at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall and expressed their full support for the event set this coming September.
Both Gregorio and Tolentino emphasized that this is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its capability to host a world-class sporting event, which is why they called for full cooperation and unity among all involved to make the tournament a success.
“This may be our one and only chance to host world-class volleyball in the Philippines. So, pagbutihan po natin, magsama-sama po tayo, magtulong-tulong po tayo. We are a very beautiful sports tourism destination, and I think we all realized — everybody here today — that maybe this will not happen again in our lifetime,” Gregorio said.
“We’re very excited — very, very excited — for this event. As Chairman Pato said, once in a lifetime ito; baka hindi na po maulit, just like the Basketball FIBA World Cup here,” Tolentino added, noting the country’s co-hosting of the basketball spectacle in 2023.
(c) PNVF
The POC chief also noted that securing rights to host such a prestigious event is more tedious and complex compared with regional sporting events, which is why everyone involved must work together to make the most of this rare opportunity and ensure the tournament is a success.
“It’s very hard to bid and to host, except for the Southeast Asian Games. That’s scheduled every 10 years, so we will be hosting it again by 2033, maybe. But for other big events like this, it’s really very, very hard.”
Gregorio, meanwhile, reminded everyone that hosting a world-class event is not just about the games, but also about showing that the Philippines can be an exceptional host to athletes, officials, and fans from around the world.
“When I was analyzing my message to all of you tonight, I just realized that we have to do this so well. We have to do this—telling the world that this is the Philippines: we can host well, we can host properly, and this is the showcase of our nation.”
Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara urged fans to support the event wholeheartedly, attend the games, and help create an electric atmosphere that will inspire the players and showcase the country’s love for volleyball.
“I think 30 days to go, we are ready. Ready na ang volleyball fans, buy more tickets, sa mga fans natin. We need to promote more para sa mga provincial fans natin,” Suzara, who also serves as one of the chairpersons of the Local Organizing Committee alongside presidential son Vinny Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.”
Fans can secure their tickets and join the excitement by visiting www.philippineswch2025.com.
Alas Pilipinas Men, who are currently training in Europe, will open against world No. 41 Tunisia at the Mall of Asia Arena on opening day. They will then have a few days off before facing No. 23 Egypt on September 16, and will finish Pool A play against No. 13 Iran on September 18.
