Abdilla focusing on beach volleyball was two years in the making

Ranran Abdilla will be solely focusing on the national beach volleyball team.

But this was a long time coming according to the 29-year-old native of Cavite.

Speaking on The Game, the Philippine Air Force personnel revealed that his transition to beach volleyball was supposed to happen two years ago for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“Noong 2019 SEA Games pa lang dapat magbi-beach volleyball na ako,” said Abdilla.

“Kaya lang kinausap ako ni Coach Dante [Alinsunurin] na huwag muna, kailangan muna namin magtulungan kaya hindi ko tinuloy yung paglipat ko sa beach volleyball.”

Two years removed from the SEA Games held here, Abdilla now has the chance to focus on the beach setup.

Making it easier for him to leave the men’s team, who won the silver medal in the biennial meet, was the new breed of players coming in.

Some of the younger players Abdilla is looking forward to seeing in the indoor team are Dan Aldrin Garnica, Alden Dave Cabaron, John Ashley Jacob, Noel Kampton, Leo Aringo, Louie Ramirez, Alche Gupiteo, Jian Matthew Salarzon, and Jomar Candelario.

“Ngayon ang daming mga batang players na nakikita ko na isa sa dahilan kung bakit ako nag give way sa spot ko sa kanila, kasi malalakas ang mga players natin na bata ngayon,” said Abdilla.

With the trajectory of the country’s beach volleyball program trending upwards, Abdilla wishes for it to continue in that slope.

He hopes for more international exposure for the beach volleyball national teams to raise even more the quality of play here in the country.

“Siguro more on international competition, more exposure para siyempre umangat yung level ng skills ng beach volleyball dito sa atin.”