Suki Salvador, the first Filipino FIVB licensed agent, is opening more doors for volleyball players in the Philippines.
In the world of Philippine volleyball, few figures have traversed as diverse a path as Suki Salvador.
From his humble beginnings as a wide-eyed ball boy to becoming a respected coach, athlete manager, and the first Filipino to acquire the prestigious FIVB agent license, Salvador’s journey embodies the sport’s evolution in the country.
His recent achievement of becoming an FIVB licensed agent is particularly noteworthy, as he joins an elite group of only 98 individuals worldwide to hold this distinction. The process of acquiring this license is rigorous and time-consuming, involving extensive background checks, examinations, and adherence to strict ethical standards.
But it’s all for a higher cause. This coveted credential allows Salvador to represent volleyball players and coaches on an international level, facilitating transfers between clubs and national teams across borders, and negotiating contracts with a global reach.
Suki’s unconventional route to volleyball prominence — which included a detour through New York as a Biology undergrad and a successful career as a publishing magnate — has equipped him with a unique perspective on athlete branding and career sustainability.
Now, as he sets his sights on propelling Filipino volleyball players onto the global stage, Salvador stands at the intersection of sports, media, and international relations, poised to reshape the future of Philippine volleyball.
Spectating the sidelines
Salvador’s love affair with volleyball began in the most unassuming place — the sidelines of his older sister’s high school practices. “I remember I was in grade school and my older sister was on the varsity team,” Salvador reminisces.
“While waiting for our car to pick us up, I would watch her training. I was getting the balls from wherever they went in the gym and I was handing it to the coaches or the trainers. That, to me, I guess, was where the love for the sport began.”
This early exposure sparked a flame that would guide Salvador’s path for years to come. He tried out for his middle school team and made the cut, but it was in high school that his dedication truly blossomed. “I knew I wanted to be captain. I knew I wanted to learn and excel because I had hopes of playing it in college,” he tells The GAME.
However, Salvador’s volleyball dreams hit a roadblock when he pursued his education in New York City. Faced with towering American players and a volleyball landscape that hadn’t yet embraced the libero position, Suki made the difficult decision to step away from the sport. “At that time, liberos were not a thing. So I didn’t think that a defense specialist was an option for somebody my height because volleyball is reserved usually for taller people. I decided to quit then,” he explains.
Returning to the Philippines, Salvador found himself at a crossroads. Medical school beckoned briefly before he realized it wasn’t his calling. It was during this period of uncertainty that volleyball re-entered his life, this time from an organizational perspective.

Salvador’s reintroduction to the sport came through an unexpected avenue — volunteering at the Women’s World Volleyball Grand Prix. “I was just kind of volunteering for random things,” he recalls. “If they needed to print certificates or IDs for the employees who were going to be part of the organizing committee, to prepare sandwiches, or pick up the laundry of the athletes when they were in Manila.”
This humble re-entry into the volleyball world would prove pivotal. Through his volunteer work, Salvador met Jake Uichico, a member of the organizing committee who would become his mentor. “Jake’s like, ‘Suki, you’re not doing anything. You’re done with school. Come help me train at Assumption College,'” Salvador recounts.
This opportunity marked the beginning of his coaching career, serving as Uichico’s assistant for several years. When Uichico suffered a stroke, Salvador stepped up to become the head coach at Assumption High School. His dedication paid off, leading the team to a championship victory.
Courted by champions
However, Salvador’s career was about to take another turn. “After that stint, I immediately got into publishing,” he recalls. “I had to stop coaching because I became a creative director for Mega [Magazine]. There was no more time to do the coaching on the side.”
For years, Salvador’s connection to sports remained that of an ardent fan. “I told myself I would just enjoy it as a fan,” he explains.
But fate had other plans. His passion for volleyball, particularly the coaching system of Ramil De Jesus at De La Salle University, kept him engaged with the sport. “For maybe 10 years, I was watching all of their games, either live or on TV,” Salvador says. “I would constantly post about it on social media.”
Little did he know that his enthusiastic social media presence, combined with his high-profile position in the publishing world, would catch the attention of some of the country’s top volleyball players. “Several players took notice,” Salvador remembers. “I think because they probably looked into my profile that I was working with Mega, and maybe some of them were interested in fashion.”
What started as casual interactions with players like Justine Tiu, Mika Reyes, Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, and Kim Fajardo soon evolved into something more. “For two years, Kianna, Majoy, and Kim were courting me to become their manager,” Salvador chuckles. “It was a long courtship.”
Eventually, Suki relented, but on his own terms. “I said, fine, let’s do this. But I have some conditions. I told them that first, they would pay their taxes. And I said that we would adhere to a certain branding,” he recounts.
This decision marked the birth of Thought Lab Corporation, affectionately known as #TeamSuki by its athletes.

The name wasn’t chosen lightly. “The reason why I called it Thought Lab is because I wanted to attract thought leaders,” Salvador explains. “People who had a strong point of view, whether they were an athlete or an influencer. Or a speaker or a host.”
In the six years since its inception, Thought Lab has grown into a premier sports management agency, representing elite athletes across digital, television, and on-ground platforms.
Salvador’s unique background in publishing and creative direction has allowed him to bring a fresh perspective to athlete management, focusing on branding and long-term career sustainability.
The transition from publishing magnate to sports mogul might seem unexpected, but for Suki, it’s a natural evolution of his diverse interests and skills. His journey illustrates the power of following one’s passions, even when they lead down unexpected paths.
Passion meets profession
With him spending the last six years carving out a niche as an athlete manager, Suki explains that his role is far more comprehensive than many might assume.
“A manager is someone who looks out for the talent’s well-being. It begins with making sure that they have a team where they will excel,” Salvador says.
Salvador’s approach to athlete management is holistic, encompassing everything from endorsement deals to training schedules. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding conflicts between endorsements and ensuring that athletes’ commitments align with the interests of their club and national teams.
But perhaps what sets Salvador apart is his keen understanding of branding in the digital age. “Managers also handle branding,” he explains, “not to change these people, but to make sure that they talk to the audience that follows them.”
This nuanced approach to social media management and audience engagement demonstrates Salvador’s ability to apply his media expertise to the sports world.
The financial aspect of an athlete’s career is another crucial area where Suki’s management skills come into play. “A manager will also take care of their financial portfolio,” he states, highlighting the importance of securing athletes’ futures beyond their playing days. “Making sure that after their very short career, they will have a happy, fulfilled life.”

One might wonder how Salvador manages to juggle his demanding publishing career with the round-the-clock nature of athlete management. His answer is simple yet profound: passion.
“I’m always working,” Salvador admits. “But I think that if you are passionate about something, it’ll never feel like work.” This sentiment echoes through his actions, as he recounts responding to midnight inquiries despite exhaustion from his day job.
“It’s something that sparks joy,” he adds, “And this is what the sport feels like for me. This is what management feels like for me. It doesn’t feel like work.”
His ability to leverage his media expertise in the sports world, and vice versa, creates a unique synergy that benefits both his publishing work and the athletes he manages.
As the sports industry continues to evolve, with athletes becoming increasingly aware of their personal brands and long-term financial security, managers like Suki are poised to play an even more crucial role.
A Filipino first
In a world where specialization is often the norm, Suki stands out as a renaissance man, proving that with passion and dedication, it’s possible to excel in multiple fields simultaneously.
As the first and only Filipino to acquire the prestigious FIVB agent license, Salvador’s journey to being a licensed sports agent is a testament to his dedication to elevating Filipino volleyball on the global stage.
The seed of this ambitious endeavor was planted by Coach Benson Bocboc, who suggested Salvador pursue the license. “I thought about it for two years,” he recalls. “Because first of all, you have to study. Second, it’s very expensive. Third, it’s very serious. And it’s very cutthroat.”
The gravity of the role wasn’t lost on Salvador. “There is so much trust needed to be an agent,” he explains. “It’s like you know everything about the athlete. You have to protect their interest. And this is what the license allows you to do. You’re the only legal person allowed to represent them.”
Preparation for the FIVB license exam was no small feat. Salvador dedicated a month and a half to studying a 600-page manual covering sports regulations, event protocols, ethical codes, and medical and doping guidelines. His background in Biology proved unexpectedly valuable during this process.
“My Biology degree truly helped me,” Salvador notes. “Everyone knows that anabolic steroids are prohibited. But I didn’t know things like asthma inhalers were prohibited. Or things like a topical ointment for an allergy or an antihistamine would be prohibited. Or diuretics were prohibited.”
This scientific knowledge gave Suki an edge in understanding the complexities of doping regulations which is a crucial aspect of modern sports management. “Because sports is such a huge thing, a lot of athletes, their coaches, their managers, and even their country and their government, do many, many things to cheat. And so, the world of sports has put in a lot of rules to address these things,” he explains.
The moment Salvador received confirmation of his success was unforgettable. “I got the email around 11 P.M. I was in bed and I screamed. I was so happy,” he recounts. The news quickly spread through the volleyball community, with national team coaches and players expressing their surprise and excitement.
But for Salvador, this achievement was about more than personal success. His motivation stemmed from a desire to elevate Filipino volleyball players on the international stage. “I wanted to do it for the Filipino volleyball player,” he asserts. “Why do we need a foreign scout to notice our talent when there could be a Filipino who can tell teams all over the world about the greatness of Filipino volleyball players?”

Suki’s vision extends beyond individual representation. He sees his role as a bridge, connecting Filipino talent with global opportunities. “It was never about the money. It was never about the prestige of being the first. It was always about allowing the sport to truly play at the level that they deserve.”
For Salvador, this license is just the beginning. It’s a tool to showcase the talent of Filipina volleyball players to the world.
Volleying for change
From watching on the sidelines to being a player to coaching a team, Suki has been exposed to the world of volleyball at a very young age. He has witnessed firsthand the meteoric rise of volleyball in the Philippines.
“For a very long time, it was about coaches, players, and people truly wanting to learn how to play. It was recreational,” Salvador reminisces. But as he speaks, there’s a palpable excitement in his voice, a recognition of the seismic shift that has occurred. “And then suddenly the level kept rising and rising. TV was introduced. And then suddenly team managers got introduced. And then sponsors got involved.”
This cascade of developments, as Salvador describes it, wasn’t just about adding new elements to the sport. It was about elevating volleyball to a professional standard that could compete on the global stage. The introduction of medical teams, physiotherapists, and nutritionists signaled a new era in athlete care and performance optimization.
“After sponsors got involved, a team of doctors, physiotherapists, and PTs got involved. And then suddenly a nutritionist got involved,” he explains. “And I think it’s fantastic. I think that development is one of the greatest things. It is what a world athlete truly deserves.”
Salvador’s enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s clear that he sees the sport’s growth as more than just a business opportunity. For him, volleyball has become a catalyst for positive change in Philippine society.
“It’s getting more people involved and interested in the sport,” he says with pride. “Whether it will inspire you to become an athlete or your child, or even just to stay healthy, or maybe even take a break from your stressful life. I think that is what the sport has done.”
But Salvador’s vision extends far beyond the shores of the Philippines. When asked about his dreams for Filipino volleyball players, his response is immediate and ambitious. “I want to see more men and women playing in international clubs,” he states firmly. “Those are the mountains that I want to reach.”
This international aspiration is not just about individual success, but about elevating the entire ecosystem of Philippine volleyball. Suki emphasizes the importance of nurturing every aspect of the sport, from the players to the support staff.
“For the Philippine team, I just hope that the people behind it treat it with care and think about not just the athletes and making it about the commercial part but also nurturing the support personnel,” he explains.
His holistic approach extends to often-overlooked roles within the sport. “These are the likes of the referees, line judges, and scorers,” Salvador points out. “Making sure that their level is like an international referee. That they have the training and the knowledge to be able to be there as well.”
As our conversation draws to a close, Salvador’s final words resonate with the passion and inclusivity that have defined his vision for Philippine volleyball. “Just so that everyone rises. Not just the club owners, not just the popularity of athletes and their pay range but everyone. I want no one to be left behind.”
In a country where basketball has long reigned supreme, Suki’s unwavering commitment to volleyball is ushering in a new era of sports diversity.
His dream of seeing Filipino volleyball players competing on international stages may seem lofty to some, but to those who have witnessed the sport’s rapid ascent under his guidance, it feels like the next logical step in an already remarkable journey.
As the sun sets over Manila’s skyline, casting a golden glow on the city’s volleyball courts, one can’t help but feel that the sport’s future in the Philippines is as bright as the dreams of those who play it.
And with visionaries like Suki Salvador at the helm, that future may arrive sooner than we think.
Banner images from Suki Salvador on Instagram. Special thanks to Dayne Aduna.
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