Reporting note: this article draws on philstar.com; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
What Is Happening Inside the Philippine National Volleyball Federation?
Philippine volleyball is facing turbulent times behind the scenes! The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has come under scrutiny following recent comments from national team players, but the timeline reveals a complex leadership transition and an inherited financial mess that new president Frank Lao is currently working to resolve.
The federation's leadership underwent rapid shifts over the past year. Tats Suzara headed the PNVF from 2021 until November 2025 before moving on to serve as president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and executive vice president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). Longtime volleyball patron Tonyboy Liao briefly took the helm in November, but internal reshuffling led to his departure months later. The board turned to Strong Group Athletics (SGA) head Frank Lao to take over, sparking immediate administrative friction.
Because of internal disputes, the FIVB briefly suspended the PNVF—a rare move triggered by national sports association governance issues. As a result, both the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) froze funding and enacted suspensions while the FIVB laid out a roadmap for formal reinstatement.
Addressing Bryan Bagunas' Allowance Concerns and the Timeline
During the Asian Games, Alas Pilipinas men’s national team captain Bryan Bagunas raised concerns over delayed allowances and player support. However, officials and records clarify that any shortfall began around July—well before Lao's recent formal assumption of the presidency.
Upon taking the post just weeks ago, Lao discovered an unexpected debt of roughly P30,000,000 within the federation. The SGA patron has reportedly been using personal funds to help bridge the financial gap and stabilize federation operations. Meanwhile, PSC chairman Pato Gregorio and POC officials have maintained that national athlete disbursements, travel expenses, and gear allotments have been processed and distributed meticulously.
Frank Lao and Strong Group Athletics' Footprint in Philippine Sports
Lao’s sudden involvement at the federation level comes on the back of heavy private investment across multiple collegiate and professional programs in the country. Through SGA, Lao has backed collegiate teams including College of Saint Benilde and Letran, pro basketball via Converge, and international exhibition squads competing in the Middle East.
In the volleyball landscape, Lao established professional clubs Farm Fresh and Zus Coffee, while also quietly providing private medical and financial support to athletes outside his own rosters. As the PNVF works toward full stabilization under its new leadership, cleaning up inherited financial obligations and keeping national athletes supported remain the top priorities.
