In celebration of the FIVB Men’s World Championships in Manila, FIVB and FIVB Volleyball Foundation speaheaded a landmark initiative that transformed an outdoor court into art.
Start of a lasting legacy.
That’s among the main goals of the staging of the FIVB Men’s World Championship in Manila from September 12 to 28.
The FIVB and FIVB Volleyball Foundation aimed to celebrate the growth of the sport in the Southeast Asian nation through art with a landmark initiative that transformed an outdoor, non-descript court in Parañaque City to a mural showing the iconic players from the tournament.
In the mural created by urban artist Maya Carandang are volleyball stars Bryan Bagunas of Alas Pilipinas, Poland’s Tomasz Fornal, Italy’s Simone Giannelli, Brazil’s Ricardo Lucarelli, France’s Jean Patry, Japan’s Yuki Ishikawa, and Team USA’s Erik Shoji.
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Over the past few years, the country has seen the rapid rise in popularity of the sport of volleyball.
Now for the first time ever, the World Championship is held in Southeast Asia.
“More than just art, the project symbolizes the start of a lasting legacy—promoting volleyball’s growth, inspiring future generations, and celebrating the power of creativity and sport united,” the post on Volleyball World’s read.
While Alas Pilipinas bowed out of competition, it was not without fight.
Making its first appearance in the Worlds, the Philippine team essayed a historic win against Egypt before pushing powerhouse Iran on Thursday, September 18.
Unfortunately, a late blunder cost Alas the opportunity to reach the Round of 16 which begins on Saturday, September 20.
Still, their valiant stand put the Philippines on the men’s volleyball map and will only continue to help grow the sport in the basketball-crazy nation.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.