Jack Kalingking happy to be back in action for Alas Pilipinas
Jack Kalingking during his Alas Pilipinas return at the Invitationals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jack Kalingking is embracing the task of taking care of the floor for the Philippine men’s national volleyball team again after a three-year absence.
Kalingking, who got an Alas Pilipinas call-up for the first time since the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2022, proved that he is still one of the reliable liberos in the country.
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The 29-year-old libero had nine excellent receptions to keep Alas unbeaten in two games after beating Korean club Hyundai Capital Skywalkers, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, in the three-day, four-team Invitationals on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I’m just so happy. It’s been such a long time, almost three years since I last played for the national team. It feels really great to be back,” Kalingking told the reporters.
The Philippine Navy libero is grateful to be part of the national training pool anew with UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez, less than 100 days before the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in September.
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The University of Perpetual Help product didn’t play against Jakarta, but his readiness was in full display as he held the Alas’ fort.
“My mindset for this game was just to stay prepared every time I step on the court because Coach really trusts each one of us. In training, he makes sure everyone gets to play, so that trust is really there,” he said.
Kalingking, one of the key cogs of the men’s national volleyball team’s historic silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, hopes to complete a perfect Invitationals campaign when they face the team they upset six years ago, Thailand, on Philippine Independence Day at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s really exciting to go up against Thailand since they’re the strongest team in the SEA Games,” Kalingking said. “We all have to go all out. Whatever Coach instructs us to do, we’ll follow all the way.”
