Four Filipino volleyball players are preparing to take a chance at playing overseas. JP Bugaoan and Manuel Sumanguid are getting ready to try their luck abroad for the first time as they join the first batch of Asian Quota players in the Korean Volleyball League.
The tryouts for this opportunity are scheduled to take place from April 25 to 27 at the Jeju Gymnasium in South Korea.
Bugaoan, who stands at 6-foot-3, plays as a middle blocker for Far Eastern University. He expressed his excitement and gratitude for the chance to play abroad, saying, "It's a huge blessing for me as an athlete to have the opportunity to go to another country and be an import. I've been dreaming about this for a long time, and this is the chance that will happen in my life to be part of the tryout in Korea."
Sumanguid, who plays as a libero, also expressed his appreciation for teammate Marck Espejo, who referred him and Bugaoan to his Korean agent Jin.
He said, "I'm really grateful for all the opportunities that come for Filipinos, and shoutout to Marck for being very generous with the opportunities that are given to him."
Espejo, who has played in Japan, Thailand, and Bahrain, has been selfless in helping his teammates pursue their dreams. Sumanguid said, "He really thinks about the other talents here in the Philippines, which I respect about Marck."
Bugaoan echoed Sumanguid's sentiment, saying, "We are really thankful to Marck until now because he was the bridge that led us there."
Sumanguid is one of only two liberos in the 32-man field, while Bugaoan will compete against five other middle blockers.
The four Filipino volleyball players are determined to give their best performance in the tryouts and not just represent themselves but also the Spikers' Turf and their country, with the opportunity to be part of the Asian Quota players in the Korean Volleyball League.
