Bagunas is home after long wait

MANILA, Philippines — Larong Volleyball Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) came to the aid of national spiker Bryan Bagunas in making his homecoming possible from an overseas volleyball stint in Japan. 

Led by president Joey Romasanta and vice president Peter Cayco, the LVPI reimbursed the personal expenses of the Philippine men’s volleyball star from his prolonged hotel stay in Quezon City while waiting for his COVID-19 swab test. 

“Bryan is very grateful. He’s so happy to finally come home. It’s the least we can do to one of the core players of our Philippine men’s national team after representing the country overseas,” Cayco told The STAR after personally settling Bagunas’ bills. 

A former UAAP MVP from National U, Bagunas arrived in the country two weeks ago from his Oita Miyoshi stint in the Japan V. Premier League but needed to stay a little longer at a costly price per night awaiting for the release of his test result. 

It was only last week that the 22-year-old Bagunas had been cleared to go home in Balayan, Batangas after his test results came out negative. 

Bagunas rose as one of the country’s sport heroes last year after anchoring the Pinoy spikers to their first SEA Games volleyball finals appearance in 42 years following a monumental upset of five-time champion Thailand in the semifinals. 

The Philippines fell short versus Indonesia in the finale, settling for a golden-like silver to break a 28-year medal drought.