USA star Taylor Averill goes up for a hit during a VNL 2024 Week 3 game in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Taylor Averill hopes to come back to Manila but not for the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
The USA star wants to explore the Philippines — which he said is his new favorite country —more, once he gets some free time.
“I wish we had more time to explore. I mean, I’ll definitely be coming back. The people here are incredible,” said Averill after scoring 11 points in their 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9 win over Brazil on Thursday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: VNL 2024: Team USA’s Erik Shoji lauds ‘awesome’ Filipino fans
Averill has been expressing his love for the Philippines on his Instagram reels.
He loves the food, accommodation, the playing venue, and most especially the Filipinos, who have been very nice and supportive.
“We play volleyball and in the US, for the men, we don’t get so much love and to come to a country like the Philippines and I feel so loved by the people here,” he said. “It makes it really special and I think a lot of us embrace that as well.”
Following a tough five-set loss to Iran on Wednesday, the Americans bounced back and completed a fifth-set win buoyed by “USA! USA!” chants during the match.
READ: VNL: Micah Christenson, USA grateful for fans’ support in loss
“It’s the best. You need it. It’s the seventh player on the floor. It really changes the momentum and it helps a lot and we’re so grateful to have the support of the Philippines,” said Averill.
“This is the best environment, playing one of the best teams in the world. I’m so proud of the way we bounced back from yesterday’s loss. We showed a lot of resilience and I’ve probably said it a thousand times, I love the Philippines. Like, to have so much support when games are really close, to have the fans really cheering in our favor, I think it helped a lot,” he added.
Amid their busy schedule including the Paris Olympics, Averill has one wish before leaving the Philippines.
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“Hopefully, we can go to a Jollibee’s soon. That’s what I’m hoping to do,” he said.