Asian U23 tourney ‘a test’ for PH volleyball

MANILA, Philippines–It’s time for Philippine volleyball to make its mark in the international scene.

Shanrit Wongprasert, Asian Volleyball Confederation secretary-general. PHOTO BY BONG LOZADA/INQUIRER.net

Jose Romasanta, Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. President, said during the presser for the Asian Women’s Under-23 (U23) Volleyball Championship that the international tournament is the Philippines’ opportunity to show how they play against the powers of the continent.

“It’s a good test to find out where we are,” Romasanta said Friday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. “They’ve had not competed in international competitions and this is a good opportunity.”

He added that volleyball and its players in the Philippines are famous and skilled but the tournament will be their proving ground.

From May 1 to 9, the Philippine U23 Women’s team will compete against the top powers of Asia.

As the organizer of the event, the Philippines was automatically placed in Group A together with Kazakhstan and Iran.

As the top seed of the Asian Under 20 tournament China was placed in Group B with India and Macau.

Japan, Chinese-Taipei and Maldives compose Group C, and Korea Uzbekistan and Thailand are in Group D.

Shanrit Wongprasert, Asian Volleyball Confederation Secretary General, seconded Romasanta, saying that the first Asian Women’s U23 tournament is an opportunity for the Philippines to show that the country can work with other volleyball confederations.

“The incoming U23 will be the most significant opportunity to prove that the Philippines is ready to work with other federations,” Wongprasert said.