By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has officially named Odjie Mamon and Dante Alinsunurin as coaches for the women’s and men’s volleyball teams.
PNVF President Tats Suzara announced this Thursday, along with Rhovyl Verayo and Paul John Doloiras as beach volleyball team coaches for men’s and women’s.
“After careful and stringent deliberation and evaluation, the federation selected coaches Odjie and Dante, both of whom bring with them impressive and credible credentials,” Suzara said.
Grace Antigua and Thai coach Tai Bundit will be Mamon’s assistant coaches, while Ariel dela Cruz and Sherwin Meneses will be Alinsunurin’s assistants.
PNVF’s National Team Commission headed by Tony Liao and National Coaches Commission under Jerry Yee made the recommendation for the appointments of the coaches and their staff.
Liao initially recommended multi-titled mentor Ramil De Jesus to be the women’s national team coach but the De La Salle mentor politely declined,
Alinsunurin was best known for steering the PH men’s team to a historic silver medal finish at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games that the country hosted, while Mamon boasts of a 24-year coaching experience highlighted by a bronze medal finish of the women’s team in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
“Our appointed coaches will do whatever it takes to assemble the best ever team in the SEA Games with their vast coaching experience even during this situation,” Suzara said.
“So we’re confident Volleyball Philippines is in good hands.”
The coaches are expected to focus on the team’s campaign in the 2021 SEA Games to be held in Vietnam late this year.
