MAGNIFICO!
The Italians proved they were still the Kings of Volleyball as they ruled the FIVB Men’s World Championship for the second consecutive time after outlasting the young Bulgarian side, 25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 25-10, in front of a tournament-best 16,429 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
More than keeping Italy on top of the world, team captain and now two-time Best Setter Simone Giannelli put a spotlight on the importance of cementing their legacy in the Philippines, which has volleyball as a rising sport, and inspiring the Filipino youth.
“It’s very important because we have all things but all around the world is not like this,” he said.
“I think that we have to do something great with our presence in every country [that we] visit,” added Giannelli after displaying his playmaking brilliance to bring out the best in Italy’s Yuri Romano, Mattia Bottolo and MVP Alessandro Michieletto.
Giannelli was one of the six players, Alas Pilipinas captain Bryan Bagunas also among them, who were painted on the mural of an outdoor court in Parañaque, in the Volleyball Legacy Art Project.
“I’m very grateful for what the Filipinos did for me,” he said. “Because that playground, it’s amazing, the artist I want to know him and to congratulate him, to thank him and all the volleyball family because it was an amazing initiative. The Volleyball Foundation is very, very good because it makes good things for the sport.”
The hosting of the Men’s World Championship will probably change the landscape of Philippine men’s volleyball after the best of the best, like Italy, surprise runner-up Bulgaria and World No.1 and bronze medalist Poland, showcased their talents here to inspire a new generation of Filipino youth, along with Alas Pilipinas, which proved it belonged on the world stage.
Giannelli, who has won championships for their national team and several clubs overseas, has important advice for the Filipinos who showered him and his team and other participating countries with love.
“Never in my life [have] I thought that I would be representing a court in the Philippines, in Manila, and to be there forever. It’s amazing for the kids. The message that I can give to them is to try to be a good person,” said the 2022 World Championship MVP.
“[Being good] is what we need now, and enjoy the sport and stay together with your friends and family and make the sport great.”
Bottolo, who rose to the occasion in the final, firing seven aces to finish with 19 points, was grateful to the Filipinos for making them feel at home.
“Being far away from home for three weeks, just training and hotel, was really tough for us. This is the World Championship, and if you want to play that, you have to live this toughness. The Philippines has helped us a lot because your people are incredible,” said Bottolo. “They treated us very well every day, so I have to say thank you very much.”
Romano, who unleashed 22 points in the final, agreed.
“The fans, the fans are crazy, we feel all their love and we feel they cheer for us. It’s very fun to be here,” said Romano.
