Twice a day practices for volleybelles slated

The long, hard grind beckons the 18 members of the Philippine national women’s volleyball pool and their performances in the practices will determine who will stay to form the 12-player roster.

National head coach Francis Vicente said starting Monday, they will have practice twice a day, six days a week as they prepare for the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Seniors in August.

“We will require dedication, discipline in training and we will see who has what it takes to stay in the team,” said Vicente upon coming back from Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan.

The Asian Women’s Club Championship, where 13 of the 18 pool members competed and finished eighth, served as the first litmus test for the national squad which will endeavor to get medal in the SEA Games.

He added that he already has several players with strong chances of making the final 12 based on the AWCC experience.

The daily practice will be capped by training camp in Japan in July where the team is expected to strengthen the bond they have made during their two weeks stint in Kazakhstan.

“I will require at least four days a week attendance,” said Vicente. “Failure to comply will be grounds to be cut from the final lineup.”

Players who will have games or practices with their respective clubs on training days with the national pool may be excused, according to Vicente.

Aby Maraño, Denden Lazaro, Jaja Santiago, Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Mika Reyes, Maika Ortiz, Rhea Dimaculanga, Kim Fajardo, Aiza Pontillas, Gen Casugod, Lourdes Clemente and Ces Molina saw action in the AWCC.

Joining them in the pool are Alyssa Valdez, Roselle Baliton, Ria Meneses, Kath Aradao and Dawn Macandili.