Courtesy: POC Media
Alas Pilipinas team captain Bryan Bagunas cried out against the lack of support for the men’s volleyball team. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) froze its funding for the suspended Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
In these difficult times, where do the country’s sports agency and National Sports Association (NSA) stand in lending a hand to embattled national athletes?
Let’s take a deeper look at the events that transpired.
“Nangungutang na”
On Sunday, September 27, Bagunas lamented the lack of financial support for the squad in their 20th Asian Games campaign following the Philippines’ three-set loss to South Korea in the tournament-opener.
Bagunas revealed that most players resorted to borrowing money just to survive and attend training sessions before flying to Japan.
The 28-year-old also admitted that only seven to eight players could attend practice at times, because of financial struggles at the height of the troubles within the PNVF, which is facing suspension from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), the PSC, and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
“Regarding sa allowances namin, talagang kahit ‘yung mga players nangungutang na from the other players or sa mga ibang tao para makapunta sa training and pauwi sa kanilang bahay,” Bagunas told POC Media.
“Sobrang tough para sa amin na mag-ensayo araw-araw. Minsan seven lang kaming nag-eensayo, eight. Sobrang hirap. Kasi hindi sila makapunta, ‘yung iba walang pamasahe kasi wala kaming naging allowance from July so naintindihan ko naman kasi most of the players ay student-athletes so ayun, nagtutulong-tulong na lang kami para makapag-ensayo ng kumpleto,” he added.
Surviving in Japan
Alas Men suffered the same plight when they arrived in Nagoya, with Bagunas saying that they had to stretch the allowance they received from the PSC.
On September 11, the sports agency granted the national athletes an additional P6,000 stipend for the Asiad.
However, Bagunas said they still needed to spend for food out of their own pockets.
The Alas Pilipinas Women, for their part, also claimed they experienced the same situation where they need to shoulder some expenses, according to a report by John Mark Garcia of Spin.ph.
“Syempre pati dito, ang naging allowance lang namin is from the PSC. Other than that, wala na. Minsan kami na gumagastos ng lunch namin, pagkain namin, kasi hindi na kami umaabot sa meal eh. Kasi yung training namin hindi umaabot sa meal time sa hotel. So, kanya-kanya na lang gastos from own pocket,” Bagunas continued in the interview.
“Siyempre sobrang nakakalungkot kasi nagre-represent kami for the country [pero] hindi namin nafi-feel ‘yung suporta na dapat para sa amin,” he added.
PSC’S role when the NSA is suspended
While Bagunas said they have not received allowances since July this year, the PSC historically steps in to disburse monetary aid directly to national athletes and coaches even if their national sports association is suspended.
National athletes, who are in the training pool up to the elite level, are currently receiving between P15,200 and P50,000 depending on their classification.
On the other hand, a credible source from the Alas Pilipinas Beach Volleyball Team, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, even told Sports Radio that they still get allowances despite the PNVF suspension and the federation continued paying for their house rentals near their training camp in Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Under Section 3.a of Republic Act No. 6846 or the “Philippine Sports Commision Act,” the PSC only “suspend the grant of financial assistance and other privileges to an NSA with intra-corporate conflict and/or suspended by the POC.”
This scenario already happened when the agency stopped funding the Philippine Karatedo Association in 2017 for misappropriation of funds, but this did not prevent the PSC from providing subsidy to the karatekas who competed in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
The same thing occurred in 2021 when 49 NSAs were sanctioned due to unliquidated expenses, yet the 19 Olympians still claimed their allowances for the Tokyo Games.
On May 29, 2026, the PNVF was suspended by the FIVB due to serious governance concerns and code of ethics violations.
On the same day, the PSC halted all funding and related activities for the PNVF.
These events forced the POC to also formally suspend the PNVF on June 22 during its Executive Board Meeting.
The POC then called a general assembly on July 27, when all former PNVF officials led by president Tony Boy Liao resigned in order to resolve leadership and governance crises.
That led to a fresh start for the federation, with businessman Frank Lao elected as the new president to lead a restructured, 13-member board.
PNVF makes no excuses
Meanwhile, the PNVF issued a statement signed by executive director Atty. Miguel Suarez shortly after Bagunas’ exposé, extending its “sincerest apologies to all our National Athletes for the difficulties they have experienced.”
While they acknowledged the concerns raised by Alas Men, they clarified that the new leadership inherited a “federation burdened with substantial financial liabilities and outstanding obligations.”
The PNVF said it is now “in the midst of a comprehensive inventory and accounting of its financial records, including reconciling funds previously received and determining their corresponding disbursements.”
The statement also said that Lao has personally advanced funds to address the immediate needs of Alas Men, which includes providing allowances from his own money and facilitating their ticket and visa requirements.
It added that it remained “committed to establishing a clear and accurate picture of the federation’s financial position and ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of its resources.”
The PNVF vowed it “will work tirelessly to deliver better.”
In a separate statement on Monday, September 28, Lao himself took responsibility for the mishap, citing how the P25 million debt has been causing headaches to the NSA.
“As president of the PNVF, I take full accountability for what happened to the allowances of both Alas Pilipinas Men and Women squads as well as the beach volleyball teams,” he said.
“Just give me some time po. Sa akin ito bilang presidente ng PNVF. I take this responsibility. Sorry po,” Lao added.
Bagunas answers with respect, vows to continue fighting
Bagunas appeared in another interview following a loss to China, recognizing the PNVF’s response and remaining thankful to the federation after Lao provided an additional P20,000 to each player alongside contributions from private sponsors.
“Nagpapasalamat naman ako sa PNVF, PSC sa pag-respond nila sa naging statement ko. Malaking bagay na sumagot sila. Alam namin na nandiyan pa rin sila na handa kaming tulungan,” Bagunas said.
“Focus lang muna kami sa game naming. Hindi naman namin gagawan ng excuse yung financial [struggle] kasi nandito kami para ipakita kung anong meron ang Philippine volleyball,” he added as Alas Men seek to conclude the Asiad on a positive note in the classification round after missing the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, the PSC and the POC have not given their reactions as of this publishing.
Amidst all trials, the veteran Bagunas is pushing the younger athletes to still give their best for the country and use the Asian Games as an avenue to build brighter futures.
“Itong Asian Games malaking tulong para sa amin lalo na sa mga bata. Exposure na rin nila kumbaga, kung makapaglaro ng overseas as import, makikita sila dito,” he said.
“Mino-motivate ko na lang sila na ilaban lang natin ito.”
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