BACK-TO-BACK Philippine Superliga champion Petron will represent the country in the Asian Women’s Volleyball Club Championship in Ha Nam, Vietnam, next month.
Already boasting some of the top-tier players in the country, the Blaze Spikers will be bolstered by Brazilian imports Erica Adachi and Rupia Inck in the tournament slated Sept. 12 to 20.
Petron coach George Pascua said Adachi and Inck will start practicing with the team the day after their arrival in Manila on Sept. 1.
The team’s mainstays for the Asian club meet include Aby Maraño, Dindin Manabat, Rachel Ann Daquis, Frances Molina, Jen Reyes, Acy Masangkay, Mina Aganon, Mayette Zapanta, Jozza Cabalsa, Ana Marie del Mundo, Maica Morada and Fille Cayetano.
“Everybody is thrilled to play for the country,” said Pascua, a veteran of the Asia Pacific Cup in Fukuoka in 2004.
“Although we still have to play with our imports, I don’t see it as a major problem as Erica is already familiar with our system after being with us in the last Grand Prix.
“We just need to spend a little more time with Rupia and make sure that Erica will get familiar with Aby and Rachel, who were not with us before.”
The Philippines is grouped in Pool B with the Japan U-18 team, China U-18 team, Azad University of Iran and the North Korean national team.