Arzen Rose Dulzura

Meet the inspirations of these international Men’s Volleyball superstars

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>As the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship nears the end of its two-week run in the Philippines this coming September 28, let’s take a peek at some of these world class athletes’ inspirations as they give it their all on the court. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-13" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOdGmWCD0VM/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A13%2C%22os%22%3A6667397.100000143%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-13" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>These athletes have sacrificed so much all for their love of the game–– most especially their family life. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/24/fivb-president-grades-ph-hosting-of-world-championships-a-10-out-of-10-1759"><strong><u>READ: FIVB president grades PH hosting of World Championships a &#x27;10 out of 10&#x27;</u></strong></a></div><p>USA skipper and main setter Micah Christenson, who bowed out earlier this week in an intense five-setter match versus Bulgaria, has been vocal about his love for his family. As a matter of fact, the American player had his wife and three children write on his shoes as a reminder that they’ll be with him as he plays thousands of miles away. </p><p>“It’s a piece of family and home that I have with me when I’m on the court,&quot; the star setter said. </p><p>For the Cuban-Polish outside hitter Wilfredo León, he has always been known to be a family man–– take a look at all of his social media posts as he proudly features his three children and wife. </p><p>The 32-year-old Polish player previously shared how he made his biggest life decision of securing a Polish citizenship several years ago just to be closer to his then-girlfriend now-wife. </p><p>“(One of the reasons I left Cuba is) the fact that my wife – my girlfriend at that time – is Polish and I couldn’t see her outside of Cuba,” he said in a 2020 interview with Olympics.com. “I love everything about (Poland). My life here is nice, I&#x27;ve never had any kind of problems.” </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/26/volleyball-icon-leila-barros-arrives-in-ph-for-fivb-men-s-world-championship-1835"><strong><u>READ: Volleyball icon Leila Barros arrives in PH for FIVB Men&#x27;s World Championship</u></strong></a></div><p>León is set to compete for the Finals slot against the defending champions, Italy, this coming Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Meanwhile, the other semifinals match up will feature Bulgaria versus Czech Republic. </p><p>Don’t miss out on the remaining games of this year’s FIVB Men’s World Championship. Fans who can’t watch personally in the Mall of Asia Arena this weekend can still watch on Cignal TV and enjoy the unlimited entertainment with PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399. </p>