Micah Christenson, TJ Defalco, and the rest of Team USA relished the opportunity to interact and bond with Alas Pilipinas amid their stay in Manila for the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
Team USA took a break from their busy schedule in the Manila leg of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) to connect with Alas Pilipinas.
TJ Defalco, Micah Christenson, Matt Anderson, Erik Shoji, and Taylor Averill met Alas Women members Jia de Guzman, Vanie Gandler, and Fifi Sharma, as well as Alas Men stalwarts Bryan Bagunas and Owa Retamar last Friday, June 21.
The select members of the two national teams found some quality time to bond, share stories, and even enjoy delicacies.
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“It was awesome to see the Manila team, especially in a country like this is amazing. To see some of the culture and get exposed to it is awesome. I had a really great time,” Defalco shared.
“We kind of conversed with all of them. Little pieces here and there. It was just kind of a quick turnaround to get to know each other, answer some questions and that was it. It was a great time.”
USA stalwart Micah Christenson added a touch of humor to the gathering, jokingly asking who the Filipinos would cheer for when USA faces Japan in the marquee clash set for Sunday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m. to close out the Manila leg.
“It was awesome just to get to talk to them, listen to their experience and talk about who they’re gonna cheer for – if it’s gonna be Japan or us. So we put a little pressure on them to cheer for us,” Christenson cheerily shared.
“But that was great, they're all really good people and it’s cool that we’re able to meet them.”
[ALSO READ: VNL: USA’s Taylor Averill hopes to try one very Filipino thing during their stay in Manila]
The bonding session was more than just a casual meet-up. It was a moment of cultural exchange and mutual respect, where athletes from different backgrounds found common ground in their love for volleyball.
All of them, we talked to [Bagunas and Retamar], there was the setter and we talked about setting a little bit and then the three women’s team players we shared food together just like we’re friends,” Christenson recalled.
“It was really informal, felt really friendly and that’s the best thing in my opinion.”
As the Manila leg nears its conclusion, the memory of the special interaction will undoubtedly linger in the minds of both teams.
After all, the true essence of sports lies in the relationships built and the moments shared.