Velez, Laniog bond remains strong after matchup

ILOCOS NORTE -- After almost 20 years of being on the same side, Aaron Velez and Arnold Laniog found themselves in an unfamiliar situation on Sunday afternoon.

This, as Velez's Chery Tiggo crossed paths with Laniog's Petro Gazz in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.

When the dust settled, the Crossovers took a dominant, 25-18, 25-20, 25-22 sweep against the Angels.

"The winning and losing is extra for me. Our camaraderie is really way beyond because he's also my teammate during our college days and we just share our knowledge and is very healthy for us to compete in one league," said Velez after the win.

"Honestly, its overwhelming. I have high respect for him," he added.

Laniog and Velez played for College of St. Benilde for four seasons, producing three silver medals in that span.

The two then went full circle after five years with Laniog bringing in Velez to be his lead assistant in the same school. They eventually copped the elusive championship but as coaches during the NCAA Season 92.

When La Salle tapped the services of the PVL Reinforced Conference champion coach in 2019, he also tapped Velez anew to be one of his assistants.

And Laniog couldn't be more proud of his good pal after seeing all the hard work that he's put in through the years.

"So masaya lang kanina nung nag start kasi magkausap din kami niyan kagabi so part naman ng trabaho namin 'to, so ginampanan lang namin yung roles namin sa mga teams namin pero sa labas naman magkaibigan naman kami so ayun naman happy lang kasi ito yung first time namin na magkalaban," shared Laniog.

"Siyempre matagal na rin naman siyang nagco-coach, assistant ko tapos nag coach na rin siya sa NU so kumbaga luto na rin talaga yung knowledge niya in terms of kung paano niya iaanalyze yung mga games kaya talagang ready na 'yan, ready na 'yan to handle talaga yung sa club teams talaga," he continued. (DJ)