Alas Pilipinas Men's captain says team hasn't received allowances since July as PNVF cites 'substantial financial liabilities'
Alas Pilipinas Men captain Bryan Bagunas said the team has yet to receive its allowances since July.
In an interview conducted by the Philippine Olympic Committee media pool on Sunday, Sept. 27, following their loss to South Korea in their debut match at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Bagunas said some players had to borrow money just to make it to practice.
"Regarding sa allowance namin, kahit 'yung mga players, nangungutang lang from other players o sa mga ibang tao para makapunta sa training and pauwi sa kanilang bahay," he said in the post-game interview.
According to the team captain, the financial difficulties made it tough to gather the whole team for practice. There were days when only seven or eight of them could join training.
"Kasi hindi sila makapunta. Ang iba, walang pamasahe kasi wala kaming naging allowance from July," Bagunas continued. "Sobrang hirap; sobrang tough."
He said that most of the Alas Pilipinas Men players are student-athletes.
"So talagang natulung-tulungan lang kami para makapag-ensayo kami nang kumpleto. 'Yung iba, nanghihiram lang talaga. Wala na kasi talagang pamasahe," Bagunas said.
In Japan, where the team is currently representing the Philippines at the 20th Asian Games, Bagunas said the Philippine Sports Commission did give them an allowance, but "other than that, wala na. As in sari-sarili na," he said.
Because the team's training schedule doesn't accommodate their hotel's dining schedule, the players are supposedly forced to pay for the meal they missed out of pocket after their training.
"Sobrang nakakalungkot kasi nagre-represent kami for the country, then hindi namin nafi-feel 'yung suporta na dapat para sa amin," Bagunas said.
PNVF to establish system that gives athletes the 'support they rightfully deserve'
Hours after Bagunas gave his interview, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, the governing body of Alas Pilipinas Men, released a statement.
"We recognize the sacrifices our athletes have made, including having to shoulder their own expenses and, in some instances, borrow money. This is a situation that no national athlete should ever have to endure," read the statement, written by Atty. Miguel Carlos Pacifico F. Suarez, the organization's executive director.
The organization explained that when its new president Frank Lao assumed his role in August 2026, "he inherited a Federation burdened with substantial financial liabilities and outstanding obligations," the statement said.
Per Suarez, PNVF is currently conducting a "comprehensive inventory and accounting of its financial records, including reconciling funds previously received and determining their corresponding disbursements."
He added that the organization will not let the "challenges of the past" keep it from helping its athletes today.
Suarez also enumerated the various ways Lao used his personal money to help the team.
"Before their departure for the Asian Games, President Lao personally provided allowances to the men's national team. He also facilitated the necessary ticketing and visa requirements ot ensure that certain members of the national team would be available to participate in the Asian Games," he wrote, adding that Lao also paid for an extra round-trip ticket for another team member.
"Nevertheless, we agree with Mr. Bagunas. These efforts are not enough," the statement continued.
Suarez wrote that PNVF's next tasks include "rebuilding the foundation" by boosting financial accountability and establishing a system that gives athletes "the support they rightfully deserve."
In a Facebook post sharing PNVF's statement, the PSC wrote that it "is pleased to continue providing financial support to the national team while working closely with the federation to address any remaining requirements."
Alas Pilipinas Men continues its journey to a medal in the Asian Games' men's indoor volleyball preliminary round. On Monday, Sept. 28, the team again fell short when they went against China, enduring a 25-21, 25-20, 25-22 loss. The Filipino spikers are next scheduled to go against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
