Alas men liberos ready to defend home floor
Liberos Jack Kalingking, Josh Ybañez and Vince Lorenzo are ready to defend the floor of Alas Pilipinas to protect their homecourt against the top nations in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Kalingking, the most seasoned player among the three liberos and a member of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medal team, marveled at the growing support and improving level of their division as Alas makes its World Championship debut on Friday against Tunisia at Mall of Asia Arena.
“Things are getting better overall. The program is improving, and the support from fans and management has been amazing. Everyone’s working together to make the team better,” Kalingking told the Inquirer in Filipino.
Mentor figure
“Right now, it’s super exciting because the World Championship is going to be held here. Of course, the team is still preparing hard so we can put on a great performance, especially since we’re the host country.”
The former University of Perpetual Help libero, who won three NCAA championships in 2014, 2016 and 2018, is taking two liberos from different generations under his wing.
“The most important thing is for me to guide them, through character, helping the team, and having the confidence to show what you can do both on and off the court. I think it all starts with yourself, being disciplined,” said the 29-year-old veteran.
Vince Lorenzo, who has been a mainstay of Alas and a champion player from Cignal, said the three liberos share insights with each other.
“We talk about what needs to change or what we’re lacking.[W]e all come from different backgrounds, so we’ve learned different things, but we share them with each other,” said the Spikers’ Turf Best Libero.
“I’m really glad to have these two kuya liberos. They never fall short in guiding me, especially since I’m younger than them. I’m happy that they always talk to me, and that I have liberos who notice my lapses on the court and aren’t afraid to point them out,” Ybañez said.
Ybañez is the youngest among the three and a converted libero despite being the University of Santo Tomas’ top scorer and two-time UAAP MVP.
