‘Set Na Natin ’To’ trumpets readiness for FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship

THE Philippines’ top sports executives gathered to rally fans at the Mall of Asia Arena Music Hall as the country shifted into overdrive with just a month to go before the opening of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025.

Ramon “Tats” Suzara, executive vice president of volleyball’s world governing body FIVB, was joined by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio on Wednesday in lauding the event partners, from the members of the diplomatic corps, working staff to benefactors, volunteers and fans, for getting the country on track with a month to go before the elite sports meet.

Senator All Peter Cayetano, co-chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, called on more people to lend a hand as he underscored the role of fans and volunteers.

Signifying ownership, belief and readiness, the officials sounded the battle cry “Set Na Natin ’To” as the country gears up to host the 32-team tournament featuring the big four of defending champion Italy, world No. 1 and Volleyball Nations League titlist Poland, Brazil and Slovenia from Sept. 12 to 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and MOA Arena.

“Volleyball fans, we are very grateful. We’ve poured everything into this, battled through every obstacle to deliver this event, and we expect to see you all during the matches,” Suzara said.

“The world’s big four will be here” Suzara said. “Our Alas Pilipinas is grinding it out to be worthy to take this floor. Join us for 17 days of top-level volleyball.”

The charismatic Eya Laure of Alas Pilipinas Women led the oath-taking of the volunteers as team captain Jia de Guzman, recently-awarded SEA VLeague Best Libero Justine Jazareno, Dell Palomata and other members of Alas Pilipinas Women were also on hand to help stir fan enthusiasm.

Hundreds of fans joined various activities organized by the different national teams and benefactors at the MOA Music Hall as well as representatives from the embassies of the 31 nations in the world championship.

Game booths offered match tickets as prizes, while merchandise was handed out at team booths. Tickets are available via the official website https://www.philippineswch2025.com/.

The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship was also on display, while event mascots Koolog, Hataw and Kidlat were introduced ahead of the tournament backed by PNVF Official Partners PLDT, Mwell, Meralco, ⁠Rebisco, Akari, Nuvali, PNVF official suppliers Asics, Senoh, official ball ⁠Mikasa, official television partner Cignal, Honda, BMW and supported by the PSC and POC.

Pleased with the turnout, Gregorio said officials are unfazed despite the Herculean task, confident that everyone involved will work hard to deliver since the country is unlikely to host the event again soon.

“We have to do this so well, we have to do this telling the world that this is the Philippines, we can host properly, this is the showcase of our nation, we are a very beautiful sports tourism destination,” Gregorio said.

“I think we all realize that maybe this will not happen again in our lifetime. Pagbutihan po natin, magsama-sama po tayo, magtulong-tulong po tayo because ‘Set na natin ’to.”

Tolentino noted that securing the rights to host an event of such magnitude is tedious and complex compared with continental and regional sporting events that follow rotational hosting.

“We’re very excited for this event. It’s really very hard to bid and to host these events. Magsama-sama po tayo for this event,” Tolentino said.

The Philippine Men’s National Volleyball team, currently training in Europe, will face world No. 41 Tunisia on opening day at the MOA Arena, and will have several days off before taking on No. 23 Egypt on Sept. 16, before concluding Pool A play against No. 13 Iran on Sept. 18.

“We want the Philippines to be a powerhouse in sports tourism. After the SEA Games, the FIBA Basketball World Cup and now the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship,” Cayetano said. DANNY SIMON

'SET na natin ito" laùnching at the Music Hall of SM MoA in Pasay City. MENCHIE SALAZAR