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  • Frank Lao takes PNVF helm as volleyball federation begins new chapter

    Frank Lao takes PNVF helm as volleyball federation begins new chapter

    The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is turning the page on a turbulent stretch, with Strong Group Athletics owner Frank Lao taking over as president following a new leadership election supervised by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

     

    Lao returns to the federation’s top post after his previous election in June was declared invalid by the POC. The earlier polls were held while the PNVF was under suspension and without proper POC representation.

     

    This time, the election was conducted under POC supervision, giving the federation a new leadership structure as it works toward satisfying the requirements needed to lift its suspension by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

     

    The change in leadership comes after the FIVB sanctioned the PNVF in May over governance issues during Tony Boy Liao’s administration and later laid out sweeping measures that the federation must address before it can regain its full standing.

     

    For Lao, the new mandate comes with an immediate priority: helping put the federation back on solid organizational footing while keeping Philippine volleyball moving forward.

     

    “This is a ‘committed team’ and I believe they could sustain the progress of volleyball that started when the PNVF was established in 2021,” said POC president Bambol Tolentino.

     

    The new leadership group will see Atty. Donn Kapunan serve as vice president, while Rommel Ng takes over as treasurer. Wharton Chan was elected auditor and will also represent the POC.

     

    Joining them on the Board of Trustees are Sienna Olaso, Francis Chad Salimbangon, Carmela Gamboa, Otie Camangian, Mohamad Bernan Jr., and Atty. Jonas Cabochan.

     

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    The 13-member board is not yet complete, with the remaining spots—including a POC appointee and male and female representatives from the athletes’ commission—still to be announced.

     

    One of the notable developments from the election is the return of Ramon “Tats” Suzara to the PNVF board. Suzara, who previously served as federation president, was among those who were removed from leadership before Liao took over. Former secretary-general Caringal is also making a return.

     

    Their comeback adds another layer to a leadership transition that effectively brings together familiar figures and new officials at a critical moment for Philippine volleyball.

     

    FIVB Ad Hoc Committee chair Hila Asanuma of Palau and FIVB external legal consultant Atty. Alexa Dabao were present at the proceedings, witnessing and certifying the election.

     

    The polls were held at the Solaire Theater Southlinks Boardroom 2M, with the POC overseeing the process.

     

    The election also signals the end of the POC’s temporary role as caretaker of the national volleyball federation. The POC assumed that responsibility after the FIVB suspension, but with a duly elected board now in place, governance of the PNVF has been returned to its own leadership.

     

    With the organizational structure restored, the Lao-led PNVF must work through the FIVB’s requirements and prove that it can establish the governance standards needed to end the international suspension.

     

    For Philippine volleyball, the election is therefore more than a change at the top. It is the first major step toward restoring stability and getting the national federation back on the international volleyball map.

     

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  • POC appoints Taka Minowa as the new Alas Pilipinas Women coach

    POC appoints Taka Minowa as the new Alas Pilipinas Women coach

    The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has officially begun its oversight of the country’s national volleyball program, unveiling a new coaching setup and the preliminary player pools that will carry the Philippines into the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.


    In its first major volleyball decision following the suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the POC appointed Japanese coach Takayuki “Taka” Minowa to lead the Alas Pilipinas women’s team while retaining Italian mentor Angiolino Frigoni at the helm of the men’s squad.

     

    The appointments, announced alongside the national team pools on Sunday, June 28, set the stage for the country’s Asian Games campaign scheduled from September 19 to October 4.

     

    The former head coach of Akari, Minowa inherits a program that has steadily regained its footing over the past two years, and the POC has opted for continuity by bringing back many of the players who fueled that resurgence.

     

    Leading the 22-player women’s pool is team captain Jia De Guzman, who returns after missing the recent AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup in Candon City.

     

    Also rejoining the national team are Bella Belen, Eya Laure, Angel Canino, Vanie Gandler, Fifi Sharma, Justine Jazareno, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Priovido, Arah Panique, Dawn Catindig, Dell Palomata, Mars Alba, and Shaina Nitura.

     

    Only Thea Gagate, Alyssa Solomon, and Nina Ytang remain from the hastily assembled Alas Pilipinas squad that represented the country in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup just weeks ago.

     

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    Completing the women’s pool are Jeanette Panaga, Shaira Jardio, Gel Cayuna, and Erika Santos, giving Minowa a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents as preparations begin.

    On the men’s side, stability remains the priority.

     

    Frigoni will continue to call the shots after guiding the Philippines through last year’s FIVB Men’s World Championship, with much of that core expected to stay intact for the Asian Games.

     

    The men’s pool is once again bannered by veteran stars Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, while five-time Spikers’ Turf MVP Jude Garcia earns an opportunity to make his debut with the indoor national team.

     

    Also included in the men’s lineup are Michaelo Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Al Bukharie Sali, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Owa Retamar, Josh Ybañez, Adrian Villados, Vince Lorenzo, Kristofer Alejos, and Trevor Valera.

     

    According to POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, POC secretary-general Atty. Wharton has already informed both Minowa and Frigoni of their appointments, which will officially run from July 1 until October 15.

     

    The simultaneous announcement reflects the POC’s approach as it takes over the national volleyball program—maintaining continuity where it matters while introducing new leadership on the women’s side.

     

    With the Asian Games less than three months away, the focus now shifts from assembling the roster to building chemistry, as both Alas Pilipinas teams prepare to test themselves against Asia’s best under the POC’s new direction.

     

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  • POC formally suspends PNVF, declares recent leadership election invalid following FIVB sanction 

    POC formally suspends PNVF, declares recent leadership election invalid following FIVB sanction 

    The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) now finds itself increasingly isolated after the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) formally enforced the consequences of an international suspension imposed by the sport’s global governing body.


    The move marks another significant setback for the federation, which is already dealing with a funding freeze from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and an ongoing investigation by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) into alleged governance violations.

     

    POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced on Wednesday that the PNVF’s suspension automatically took effect following the FIVB’s decision to sanction the federation on May 29.

     

    According to Tolentino, the international body’s action was imposed under Article 13.1.1 of the FIVB Disciplinary Regulations and remains linked to an ongoing investigation being conducted by the independent FIVB Ethics Panel.

     

    “The suspension comes automatically from the international federation’s suspension of its national federation,” said Tolentino.

     

    The suspension effectively strips the PNVF of its standing within the POC, preventing the federation from participating in official Olympic committee functions, including attendance at the General Assembly.

     

    Beyond the suspension itself, the POC also questioned the legitimacy of the federation’s recent leadership transition, where Frank Lao assumed the presidency from Tonyboy Liao.

     

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    Tolentino made it clear that the election would not be recognized by the Olympic body, citing procedural shortcomings in the conduct of the vote.

     

    “Their latest election, for the POC, is invalid. There was no notice to the POC and no observer from the POC,” he said.

     

    The development further complicates the leadership situation within Philippine volleyball, with both the federation’s international standing and internal governance now under heightened examination.

     

    Earlier, the PSC had already halted funding support to the PNVF amid concerns similar to those now being investigated at the international level.

     

    While the suspension remains in place, the POC is awaiting recommendations and decisions from the Ad Hoc Committee established by the FIVB to oversee volleyball affairs in the Philippines during the federation’s suspension period.

     

    The matter was discussed during the POC board meeting attended by secretary-general Atty. Wharton R. Chan, second vice president Rep. Richard Gomez, treasurer Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, auditor Jose Donaldo Caringal, Athletes Commission representative Jessie Khing Lacuna, and board members Ferdinand Agustin, Leonora Escollante, Alexander Sulit, and Alvin Aguilar.

     

    With sanctions now coming from both domestic and international sports authorities, the future direction of Philippine volleyball remains uncertain as stakeholders await the outcome of the FIVB’s ongoing governance review.

     

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