Expect major changes in PH men’s team for SEA Games

Volleyball officials are set to make big changes in the men’s national team but very little in the women’s squad, according to a top honcho Friday.

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. president Peter Cayco convened the LVPI board and team officials to map out the plan for this year’s international tournaments, including the Southeast Asian Games, which the country is hosting in December.

Although Cayco didn’t confirm it, the men’s team is expected to overhaul the coaching staff and the roster after the team placed fifth in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

“In the women’s team, we will have small fine-tuning, but we will have more work on men’s team,” Cayco told the Inquirer.

The women’s team is hoping to at least medal in the biennial meet for the first time since taking the bronze in the 2005 Philippine edition.

Now ranked 117th in the world, the country ruled the women’s side of SEA Games volleyball from 1977 to 1993.

“There will be a special care because the SEA Games will be held in the country, but the dynamics have been put in place and we are on track based on our development program,” added Cayco.

Currently, the national women’s pool includes Alyssa Valdez, Mika Reyes, Jaja Santiago, Dindin Manabat, Jasmine Nabor, Risa Sato, Mylene Paat, Aiza Pontillas, Maika Ortiz, Cha Cruz, Jia Morado, Denden Lazaro, Jem Galanza, Aby Maraño, Grethcel Soltones, Melissa Gohing, Dawn Macandili, Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron and Kim Kianna Dy.