They came, they coached, and they inspired — three of the biggest names in Philippine women’s volleyball stepped off the national stage and onto the training floor, and the young athletes who showed up walked away with something no classroom ever could have given them.

In line with the Philippine leg of VNL Week 2 at the PhilSports Arena, Decathlon hosted an exclusive volleyball clinic featuring current and former Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team stars Ced Domingo, Niña Ytang, and Faith Nisperos. Selected aspiring athletes from across Metro Manila received specialized, hands-on training — a rare, up-close look at what it takes to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

Three Champions, One Mission: Grow the Game

Ced Domingo didn’t arrive in that gym to coast on her reputation. The former national team standout and multi-awarded middle blocker came ready to work — and to remind everyone in the room why volleyball’s rise in the Philippines is something worth celebrating.

“I’m really happy that volleyball, both men’s and women’s, is getting the exposure it needs and deserves,” Domingo said. “A lot of people are becoming sports enthusiasts, which is incredibly beneficial for a person’s physical and mental well-being.”

Standing alongside her was Niña Ytang, the four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker from UP and one of Alas Pilipinas’ most consistent performers. With world-class VNL competition happening just steps away at the PhilSports Arena, Ytang delivered a lesson no training video could ever replicate.

“As an athlete, being able to watch these international players live is the most rewarding experience,” Ytang said. “You cannot replicate that kind of learning from a screen.”

For the young athletes in attendance, hearing that from someone who has competed at Ytang’s level wasn’t just motivating — it was a blueprint.

Faith Nisperos and the Calling That Goes Beyond the Court

Faith Nisperos has always been clear about one thing: the game gave her everything, and she intends to give it back in full. The former Ateneo Lady Eagle and Alas Pilipinas spiker coached with the kind of energy that made it obvious this was never just an appearance for her — it was a purpose.

“Giving back to volleyball has always been one of my life’s missions,” Nisperos said. “Through clinics like this, I get the opportunity to share my knowledge and hopefully inspire them to fall even more in love with the sport. I truly enjoyed coaching because every athlete showed enthusiasm and a genuine desire to learn. Moments like these remind me why I love giving back to the game that has given me so much.”

 

The clinic was held in connection with the launch of the VNL x Decathlon Fan Collection — an exclusive lifestyle range designed for the fans who bring the noise, energy, and passion to the stands. Available at Decathlon stores in Alabang, Pasig, Pasay, and Cebu, the collection includes the official VNL volleyball in three sizes (PHP 350.00–PHP 850.00), a VNL lifestyle t-shirt (PHP 550.00), and performance arm sleeves and knee braces (PHP 450.00 each).

The gear is built for fans. But what happened inside that gym at the PhilSports Arena was built for the future — and for the young athletes who were there, this was the day Philippine volleyball stopped being something they watched and started being something they believed they could live.