Modest SEA Games goal for PH volleybelles
THE PHILIPPINE women’s volleyball team is looking at a modest bronze-medal finish in its return after a 10-year absence in the Southeast Asian Games next month in Singapore.
Thailand, a regular fixture at the World Grand Prix, will be the top gold-medal contender with the Filipinos fighting for a podium finish against Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, according to Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas president Joey Romasanta.
The country has been bracketed in Group A with Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Thailand is bunched with Singapore and Burma.
“We can’t complain because in the Asian U23, we were grouped with Iran and Kazakhstan,” said Romasanta.
The PH team is still being formed because key players only showed up in practice over the weekend due to previous commitments.
The coaching staff, led by Roger Gorayeb, is not yet ready to reveal the final list of athletes although the LVPI has submitted 30 names for accreditation to the Singapore SEA Games organisers.
“It’s possible that we will name a pool of 14 players and then the coaching staff will choose from them,” said Romasanta.
He said among those who have been practicing since Day 1 at Blue Eagles Gym in Loyola Heights are Alyssa Valdez, Gretchel Soltones, Jia Morado, Bea de Leon, Denden Lazaro and Jaja Santiago. Air Force personnel and collegiate veterans Maika Ortiz and Rhea Dimaculangan have also joined the practices lately.
Over the weekend, Aiza Maizo, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aby Maraño, Rachel Ann Daquis and Dindin Manabat also showed up at the gym.
But Romasanta said the selection of players will be based primarily on their “commitment” to the team.
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