Goma to spikers: Enjoy the game

Short of saying that the national men's volleyball team is going nowhere, Hangzhou Asian Games chief of mission Richard Gomez is urging everyone to give the players the chance to enjoy their stint during the 23 September to 8 October sportsfest.

The squad is making a return to Asian Games play for the first time in almost half a century and Gomez insists it would be ideal that the team relish the experience.

The Filipinos are set to march back on the volleyball court in China for the first time since finishing sixth in the 1974 edition of the Asiad in Iran.

Gomez, who is a former member of the national men's squad, understands that while the country's participation is a massive development for Philippine volleyball, shooting for a medal is a tall task for a team that is practically sailing uncharted waters.

While landing at the podium remains the ultimate goal, Gomez doesn't want to put too much pressure on Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso and his crew.

"Since they will be entering a new beginning, let us give them the privilege to enjoy and fight well in the Asian Games," Gomez told Daily Tribune in an interview.

"I suggest that we do not put too much expectations from them."

Top hitters Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, instrumental in the Philippines' silver medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, headline the 12-man national team set to begin their Asiad quest on 19 September.

The Nationals are in the 'Group of Death' having drawn Asian powerhouse Japan, SEA Games gold medalist Indonesia and Afghanistan in Pool F.

First to test the mettle of the Filipinos is Indonesia while the Afghans are also expected to bring a difficult challenge for the Nationals on 20 September. Japan, which won eight gold medals in the last 16 Asiad editions, battles the Philippines on 21 September.

Although the odds are stacked against the Nationals, Gomez is confident the squad will slug it out against the continent's best teams.

But winning would be another thing.

"We are at a point where the volleyball team is still trying to improve their program's competitiveness," he said.

Also suiting up for the Asiad are Joshua Umandal, Kim Malabunga, setter Vince Mangulabnan, Filipino-American Steve Rotter, Ryan Ka, Chumason Njigha, Lloyd Josafat, Manuel Sumanguid, JP Bugaoan and Adrian Villados.

The Nationals are the only indoor entry of the Philippines after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation opted not to send the women's club for the first time since its Asiad return in 2018 in Jakarta.