Perpetual skipper Louie Ramirez gets invite to national team pool for FIVB World Championship

Perpetual ALTAs' team captain Louie Ramirez is inching closer to his dream of donning the national colors as he received an invite to join the Philippine national team pool ahead of the country's hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship.

Ramirez, who revealed last year that it's his ultimate goal to someday play for the flag, was included in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) list of prospects for the global meet next year.

Though unsure whether he will be chosen in the final lineup, the 24-year-old high-leaping outside hitter said he'll always be ready to answer the call of duty.

"Meron na po dumating sa akin na letter pero hindi ko sure if mala-lineup ako pero yes po, willing naman ako maging part ng ng national team if papalarin," Ramirez shared to GMA News Online on Sunday.

[I have received a letter but I'm not sure if I'll make the lineup, but yes, I'm willing to be part of the national team if I'm fortunate enough.]

The 6-foot-2 Ramirez leads the NCAA in spiking with a 52.17 success rate through seven games as the ALTAs booked a Final Four ticket by virtue of their straight-sets win against Arellano University on Sunday.

Ramirez is the third best scorer with a total of 118 points so far to trail Mapua's Barbie San Andres (179) and San Beda's Van Book (121) while also emerging as the third-ranked player in the receiving department behind liberos Raxel Catris of Letran and Bhim Diones of EAC.

In the national team pool, Ramirez will be under the guidance of head coach Sergio Veloso and his deputies in veteran tacticians Dante Alinsunurin and Odjie Mamon.

But while he took a step towards that dream, Ramirez said his focus remains on Perpetual as they are still on a hunt for a four-peat crown in the NCAA.

"Sa akin, marami akong plans and maraming offers pero unahin ko muna ‘yung sariling goal ko, which is mapa-champion ulit ‘yung Perpetual and mag-exit sa NCAA na champion," he added.

[I have a lot of plans and offers but I want to put my own goal first, which is to lead Perpetual to another championship and exit the NCAA as a champion.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News