Village Connect
As the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship races toward its thrilling conclusion this weekend, fans across the globe are glued to every serve, spike, and rally. Yet, beyond the electric atmosphere of packed arenas and the intensity of competition lies a quieter, deeper truth about these world-class athletes: their greatest source of strength doesn’t always come from training gyms or locker room pep talks—it often comes from home.
For many of these volleyball icons, family is both anchor and compass. The demanding schedules, long months abroad, and relentless pursuit of medals all take their toll. But the love waiting for them off-court is what sustains them, pushing them to rise to the moment when their countries call.
Let’s step off the court and meet the families who inspire these men to give their all—heroes not only in jerseys, but also as fathers, husbands, and sons.
Benjamin Toniutti (France): A Setter’s Steady Balance
As captain and veteran setter of the French national team, Benjamin Toniutti is known for his calm orchestration on the court. Behind that composure is his role as a father of three girls with his wife, Emilie. While his career keeps him in Poland’s PlusLiga, his heart often stays in France, where his family resides.
“My wife and three children are in France on a daily basis, so I spend more time alone between training and matches,” Toniutti shared in an interview earlier this year. But instead of lamenting the distance, he sees their visits every six weeks as precious bursts of joy.
His eldest daughter, already playing volleyball herself, finds stability with friends in France, while Toniutti finds purpose in knowing his family’s support is unwavering. Every precise set he delivers is for them—a quiet promise that his sacrifices will always circle back to love.
Earvin N’Gapeth (France): Magic Beyond the Court
Few players embody flair like Earvin “Magic” N’Gapeth. His explosive, unpredictable style has made him a fan favorite and an Olympic champion. Yet his proudest role isn’t just as France’s outside hitter, but as father to his two boys, Mathys and Dany.
In a rare move last year, N’Gapeth signed with local club Stade Poitevin Poitiers, giving himself four months of uninterrupted time with his sons. “It gave me the opportunity to be home for four months with my family, something I hadn’t done for a long time,” he said. That precious period gave him strength to push forward, even eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
His story is a reminder that even for world champions, family remains the greatest prize—fueling the fire to keep going.
Micah Christenson (USA): Shoes That Carry Love
For Micah Christenson, captain of Team USA and Olympic bronze medalist, family isn’t just cheering from afar—they’re literally with him on the court. His wife, Brooke, and their three kids, Ezekiel, Quinn, and Finley, decorate his volleyball shoes with doodles and messages before each tournament.
“It’s a piece of family and home that I have with me when I’m on the court,” the 32-year-old setter said while competing in Manila. Those scribbles remind him that beyond every grueling rally lies a bigger purpose: to honor the love of his family.
For Christenson, victories are measured not only in medals, but also in the smiles he brings back to his children after every match.
Wilfredo Leon (Poland): Love Across Borders
Wilfredo Leon’s journey is proof that love can reshape destinies. Born in Cuba and dubbed part of volleyball’s “Generation of Miracle,” Leon later secured Polish citizenship—partly to honor his wife, Małgorzata, a Polish journalist.
The couple met in 2011, and his decision to settle in Poland was as much about love as it was about career. “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,” Leon revealed.
Now a father of three, Leon proudly declares his children as his greatest achievements. “No other achievement can compare to (the birth of his child),” he wrote on Instagram when his daughter was born. For him, the victories on the court pale in comparison to the victories of family life.
Bryan Bagunas (Philippines): Strength of a New Chapter
Closer to home, Filipino volleyball fans have found fresh inspiration in Bryan Bagunas, Alas Pilipinas’ power hitter who currently plays professionally in Taiwan. Last year, he married his long-time partner Nicole Tracy Tan, and this year, they welcomed their first child.
Bagunas shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram after his son’s birth: “Watching you bring our son into this world was the strongest and most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed.” For Bagunas, family is not just support—it is transformation. Parenthood reshaped his perspective, giving him even greater drive to perform at the highest level.
Despite often being away from the Philippines, his love for his new family bridges the distance, reminding fans that athletes, too, are fueled by the same everyday joys and sacrifices as anyone else.
More Than a Game
As the championship nears its dramatic finale, it’s worth remembering that these volleyball stars are not just athletes chasing glory. They are men drawing courage from bedtime stories over video calls, from doodles on shoes, from Instagram posts celebrating milestones, and from quiet reunions at airports after months apart.
Family is their home court. It’s where victories are truly celebrated, and where losses are softened with love.
Don’t Miss the Final Rally
Volleyball fans, gear up for the thrilling conclusion of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship this weekend. Watch the stars chase glory—and honor the families who inspire them—only on Cignal TV, bundled with PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399.
Enjoy world-class volleyball and endless entertainment right at home. Visit pldthome.com/fiber-unli-all to learn more.
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