OATH OF OFFICE. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (front row, left) and lawyer Ed Gastanes administer the oath of office to the officers of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. at The Vault restaurant at the BGC in Taguig City on Wednesday (Feb. 10, 2021). Also in photo are Ramon “Tats” Suzara (president), Arnel Hajan (vice president), Ariel Paredes (chairman) Donaldo Caringal (secretary general), Yul Benosa (auditor) and board members Ricky Palou, Karl Chan, Charo Soriano, Carmela Gamboa, Fr. Vic Calvo and Atty. Wharton Chan. (PNVFI photo)
MANILA – Tonyboy Liao, the architect of the last Philippine team to win the volleyball gold medal in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, has been put into task of managing the national team once again.
The decision was made following the first board meeting of the new Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. (PNVFI) on Wednesday at The Vault Restaurant in Taguig City.
“It’s a privilege to head the department and I know that the task is challenging but I promise to do my best,” the current commissioner of the Premier Volleyball League said.
Liao joined the board meeting through online teleconferencing as he is currently in the United States.
PNVFI president Ramon “Tats” Suzara believes Liao is a hands-down pick for the managerial role.
“Mr. Liao was a former manager of the national team for many years. He also managed two of the most successful collegiate teams, De La Salle and Ateneo,” Suzara said. “He has a vast experience in managing teams and players and is highly-versed on volleyball rules.”
For his first plan of action as national team manager, Liao said, “I will immediately form my team and discuss the criteria of selection of the players and coaching staff.”
He also named Ormoc mayor Richard Gomez, a former multi-sport national team member which includes a stint with the men's volleyball team, as his secretary.
Liao helped build the 1993 Philippine women's volleyball team, which dethroned Thailand during the SEA Games that took place in Singapore.
That turned out to be the last time the Philippines won it all in the SEA Games volleyball event.
The women's team has missed out on a podium since it captured the bronze medal in the 2005 edition in Bacolod.
On the other hand, the men's team looks to build upon the momentum it obtained from its breakthrough silver medal finish in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila.
Meanwhile, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino formally inducted the first officers of the PNVFI during the board meeting.
Other appointed PNVFI officials include Ricky Palou as deputy secretary general for international affairs, Roger Banzuela as deputy secretary general for member relations, Carmela Gamboa as the chief for events council, Jerry Yee for technical and coaches, Prof. Robert Calo for refereeing and rules, Karl Geoffrey Chan II for development, Donald Caringal for marketing, Charo Soriano for beach volleyball, Benson Bocboc for the Volleyball Information System, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas for medical, Rodrigo Roque for finance, Fr. Victor Calvo for legal and ethics, and Alyssa Valdez for the athletes with members Aby Marano, Den-Den Lazaro, and Johnvic de Guzman. (PNA)
