Philippine women’s volleyball in training. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The Philippine volleyball team is targeting no less than a podium finish in Singapore.
That’s what LVPI official Tony Boy Liao laid down on Tuesday, admitting that finishing outside of the top four in the SEA Games volleyball tournament will be a big blow to Philippine volleyball given the high hopes the officials have vested in our women’s national team.
READ: Valdez, Santiago sisters lead PH’s SEA Games volleyball lineup
“It will be a let down if we’ll not take home at least a bronze, but if we win our first game, maybe we can get that bronze, or possibly silver,” he said in the weekly PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.
Jov Gonzaga leads the SEA Games squad, which also feature heavy hitters Alyssa Valdez, Rachel Daquis, and Aby Maraño.
READ: Maraño ready to bring her swagger to SEA Games in Singapore
Completing the squad are towering sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat, setters Rhea Dimaculangan and Jia Morado, libero Denden Lazaro, Maika Ortiz, Bea de Leon, and Gretchel Soltones.
READ: Rachel Ann Daquis all set to fulfill a dream
Placed in Group A, the Philippines will face Indonesia (June 10), Malaysia (June 11), and Vietnam (June 13). The top two teams in the bracket advance to the cross-over playoffs and already are assured of a bronze medal finish.
The officials, though, have expressed their confidence with the squad under the guidance of head coach Roger Gorayeb and Tai Bundit.
“They have vastly improved since they trained with them,” said LVPI secretary general Ricky Palou. “They have trained everyday and will continue their twice-a-day training in Singapore before the actual competitions.”
READ: Gorayeb asks for unity as he leads team in SEA Games
Liao added, “The reason why these players were chosen was because they are young, they can practice twice-a-day, and just like (Mary Jean) Balse and (Tina) Salak, they have the heart.”
The women’s volleyball team will leave for Singapore on June 4. CC