LAOAG City showed its strong support for the upcoming 2025 FIVB Men’s World Volleyball Championship during the recent “Set Na Natin ‘To Trophy and Mascot Tour.”
The event, held last Saturday at the new SM City-Laoag, featured Cignal HD Spikers players Josh Umandal, JM Ronquillo, and Vince Malinao.
The tour, which began at SM Seaside Cebu two weeks ago and will conclude at SM Downtown Cagayan de Oro this coming Saturday, also included a mini-tournament at Dap-Ayan Park. The team Block Builders, led by MVP John Paul Lorenzo, took home the championship title after defeating three other Ilocos Norte teams: North Western University, Laoag Men’s Team, and Pasuquin.
“We are very thankful to the City of Laoag and the Province of Ilocos Norte for the warm welcome and enthusiastic support for the world championships,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Asian Volleyball Confederation.
The world championship kick off with the Philippines-Tunisia match at 6 p.m. on September 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena followed by a first-of-kind opening ceremony featuring K-Pop group BOYNEXTDOOR.
The 32-nation world championship is scheduled until September 28 and tickets are available at official website https://www.philippineswch2025.com/.
PNVF Charter Member Faivo Bartolome, who also heads the Ilocos Norte volleyball association, and his fellow Ilocos Norte Provincial Sports Consultant Joseph Co helped organized the event graced by Laoag City Vice Mayor Carlos Fariñas.
Joining the event where official mascots KidLat and Hataw also regaled the crown were Senior Tourism Operations Officer Bon Derryl Pugal representing Department of Tourism OIC-Regional Director Evangeline Dadat and Senior Tourism Operations Officer, as well as SM City Laoag’s Engr. Gian Carlo Quiaoit and Assistant Mall Manager and Laoag City Volleyball Grassroots player Shainnah Althea Gubac and coach Joshua Manzanas.
