Tag: USAs

Team USA’s Fil-Am manager relishes PH return at VNL

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USA men’s volleyball team manager David Dantes.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA’s first time playing in Manila for the Volleyball Nations League was also a homecoming for the squad’s Filipino-American team manager David Dantes.

Dantes relished his return to the Philippines after 10 years.

“It’s really great to be back. I think the guys (players ) right now are having a wonderful experience. I think that’s been the best part. [For] most of our team, it’s their first time here and we love it. They love the fans, they love the passion, couldn’t be happier,” said Dantes, whose parents are from Quezon City. 

READ: VNL 2024: Experience makes USA’s Manila stint a ‘great success’

Like his players, Micah Christenson, Erik Shoji, Taylor Averill, and others, Dantes, who was born and raised in California and currently living in Georgia, was also in awe of the love Team USA received from the Filipino fans in their first VNL experience in Manila.

“It’s awesome. We want the sport to be popular everywhere. We want the fans to be as passionate as Filipino fans. So this means the world to us, and especially to our guys,” he said.

Dantes, who was also a coach and director for the University of Georgia, admitted he hasn’t watched Philippine volleyball games but after experiencing the massive Filipino crowd and his former player, Erica Staunton signing with Creamline as an import, he’s looking forward to catching PVL matches back home.

“I will now. Because one of my athletes in Georgia just started for Creamline last week. I will be watching it now because she’ll play,” said the Team USA’s technical support team and men’s sitting team Independent Contract Performance Analyst

“It’s really cool to see where I’m from, where my parents are from love it as passionately [as me]. Obviously, almost makes me want to come back and see the sport grow even more. It’s so cool to see the Philippines growing in the professional sport really quickly, which is great,” he added.

READ: VNL2024: USA star Taylor Averill wants to come back, explore PH

Dantes shares that grassroots development is key to taking Philippine volleyball to greater heights.

“I think it all starts at the grassroots level. Just provide as many opportunities as you can and let the kids, let the youth play as much as they can,” he said.

American libero Shoji shared the same sentiment as Dantes.

“I think it’s growing. Look at this crowd. So, we need more boys and girls playing volleyball and the more people the play, the better you’re gonna get. so, you know, we need more boys and girls playing volleyball in Manila, around the Philippines,” Shoji said. “That’s my hope for the country and little by little, step by step, they’ll get better.”



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USA, which finished with a 5-7 record, may have missed the VNL Final Eight after losing to Japan for the first time on Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena, but the experience playing before an electric crowd still made the Americans’ stint a memorable one as they head home and gear up for the Paris Olympics.

Experience makes USA’s Manila stint a ‘great success’

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USA huddles during a timeout in a VNL 2024 game against Japan.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA captain Micah Christenson had a first Manila trip to remember despite the Americans missing the Final Eight of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

The United States wrapped up its campaign in Manila with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-19 loss to Japan in a much-awaited clash between the two fan favorites played before an ecstatic 12,424 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.

The Americans, last year’s runners-up will miss the Final Eight with a 5-7 record, but Christenson and his teammates will bring great memories with them as they head back home and gear up for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan beats USA for first time in Manila finale

“Incredible. It was capped off with an incredible crowd, the last game up here in Manila so, wish we could’ve made it a little longer of a match, but at the same time it was good volleyball, it was really good volleyball out there on the court,” said the star setter, who only played late in the third set as both squads decided to rest most of their key cogs.

“I’m really proud of our guys and how we fought and how we battled. So now, we’re just gonna keep learning from our experience but, our trip in Manila was a great success based on our experience.”

American stars Matt Anderson and TJ Defalco sat the game out as Taylor Averill and Erik Shoji were the remaining starters in the match.

Still, Christenson praised Japan for its solid showing with Kento Miyaura stepping up big time. 

“We showed our level in a lot of the sets, but towards the end of the sets, Japan really turned their serving pressure on especially, Miyaura, at the end of at least the last two sets, he came in with some really big serves,” he said.

READ: VNL 2024: USA posts second straight win ahead of Japan clash

The Americans may have missed the Final Eight in Poland after splitting their four matches in Manila. But they will come home with big smiles on their faces.

Christenson and the United States now shift their focus to the Paris Games, where they hope to take home the gold.

“It’s great. We’re gonna need everybody at the Olympics, so, from the top down, we’re gonna need everybody on this team. So to be able to have the ability to give them experience in a big game, in a sold-out crowd against Japan is a wonderful experience,” he said 



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Team USA’s Erik Shoji lauds ‘awesome’ Filipino fans

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Erik Shoji and Team USA in the VNL 2024 Week 3 Game in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Despite a losing debut in Manila, USA libero Erik Shoji felt the love of the Filipino fans, whom he considers the “nicest people in the world.”

USA’s effort went for naught as its comeback was denied by Iran, 26-28, 25-23, 25-18, 26-28, 15-13, in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 on Wednesday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.

But the American libero appreciated the cheers and warmth of the Filipinos despite their dimming Final Eight chances. 

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

“We love them. It’s a late night, they’re awesome. Salamat to all the Filipino fans. We’ll see them soon,” Shoji said. 

“We know that Filipino fans love volleyball so we thank them so much for coming and cheering. I’m from Honolulu so it’s cool to be here and it’s been an awesome experience so far.”

Even after the loss, Shoji, Micah Christenson, and other Americans stopped by the Fan Zone to meet some Filipinos.

READ: VNL: Micah Christenson, USA grateful for fans’ support in loss

 Shoji also lauded the hospitality of the Philippines as a host of the VNL for the third straight year.

“They’re taking really good care of us and people are so nice, so accommodating. They’re the nicest people in the world I think,” the 34-year-old libero said. “We’re really happy to be here for the first time. I think it’s almost everyone’s first experience here and so far it’s going good except for that match.”

Shoji and the Americans have no time to dwell on their loss to Iran as they battle Brazil on Thursday evening. 

“We have to learn from this one, move forward and it’s always a good one against Brazil,” Shoji said. “I think we were up and down, of course. We wanted to win today and just be a little bit better and be a little more crisp with our game. Iran played really well. They always play well against us. It was unfortunate in the end to lose that one.”



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The Olympic-bound USA is currently in 12th place with a 3-6 record.