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Alas Pilipinas takes on South Korea in the group stage of men's volleyball in the 2026 Asian Games, September 27, 2026 in Japan. POC Media
MANILA — Allegations of lack of financial support for Filipino athletes competing in the Asian Games must be investigated, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Monday.
The statement comes after Alas Pilipinas Men captain Bryan Bagunas revealed a lack of support for their squad, noting that some players had to borrow money just to attend training sessions ahead of their campaign.
READ: 'Sobrang nakakalungkot': Alas captain Bagunas rues lack of support ahead of Asiad campaign
Currently in Japan, Bagunas said they sometimes have to spend on their own for food as their training schedule makes them miss hotel meals.
"Alam naman po din natin kung gaano po pinapahalagahan ng ating Pangulo ang ating mga manlalaro. So, sa ganito pong pagkakataon, kinakailangan po itong pagtuunan ng pansin, saan may kulang, sino ang may pagkukulang, kung ang mga ibinibigay na ganitong pamamahayag ay tama at may basehan," Castro told reporters.
"Kapag nagkataon na ito ay totoo at may umabuso, dapat lang pong mapanagot kung sino ang mga umaabuso," she added.
READ: PNVF apologizes for 'difficulties experienced' by Alas Pilipinas after Bagunas bombshell
The Palace official said they cannot give a concrete comment as of now as they are yet to get to the bottom of the issue.
However, she assured that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. wanted to ensure all Filipino athletes competing in the continental meet is given enough support.
"Hindi po kasi gusto ng Pangulo na iyong nagri-represent sa ating bansa ay sila pa iyong nahihirapan dahil parang hindi tumutugon ang gobyerno sa pangangailangan nila. Ayaw na ayaw na po iyan ng Pangulo," Castro ended.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), in a statement, had already apologized for the "difficulties experienced" by Alas Pilipinas Men.
Replying to Bagunas' account of Alas Men's concerns for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026, the PNVF acknowledged that the national athletes "should not endure" this kind of hardship.
"PNVF extends its sincerest apologies to all our National Athletes for the difficulties they have experienced. Our athletes have dedicated themselves to representing our country, and they deserve nothing less than the full support of the Federation," it said.
PNVF president Frank Lao had also extended his personal apologies to the squad, asking for "some time" to fix the federation's financial position after they inherited "burdened with substantial financial liabilities and outstanding obligations."
“Just give me some time po. Sa akin ito bilang presidente ng PNVF. I take this responsibility. Sorry po,” Lao said.
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