Manila: Businessman Frank Lao has been elected as the president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). The election of the new board of directors was endorsed by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino, who emphasized the 'commitment' of the new team.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tolentino expressed confidence in the newly elected board, stating, "This is a 'committed team' and I believe they could sustain the progress of volleyball that started when the PNVF was established in 2021." The election took place on Monday morning at the Solaire Theater Southlinks Boardroom 2M.

Frank Lao, who owns Sports Group Athletics (SGA), which sponsors basketball and volleyball teams in the country, leads a team that includes Atty. Donn Kapunan as vice president, Rommel Ng as treasurer, and POC secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan as auditor. The board of trustees comprises Sienna Olaso, Francis Chad Salimbangon, Carmela Gamboa, Rustico Camangian, Mohamad Bernan Jr., and Jonas Cabochan.

Ramon 'Tats' Suzara, president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and the first PNVF president, has also been elected to the board. Donaldo Caringal will serve as secretary-general. The remaining two members of the 13-member board, representing male and female athletes, will be announced soon.

The POC has relinquished its 'caretaker' role of the federation, which was mandated by volleyball's world governing body, FIVB. This change comes after the suspension of previous PNVF officials due to governance issues last November.

Tolentino mentioned that the Alas Pilipinas Men and Women teams, formed under POC supervision for the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games during the suspension, will continue their activities.

FIVB-appointed Ad Hoc Committee chair Hila Asanuma of Palau and FIVB External Legal Consultant Atty. Alexa Monica Dabao were present to witness and certify the election process.