Valdez, Santiago sisters lead women’s team as PH volleyball pool for SEA Games unveiled

MANILA, Philippines—A mix of familiar names and first-timers make up the talent pool for the Philippine national volleyball teams that will play in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games hosted by the country later in the year.

The names for the women’s, men’s and under-23 teams were announced on Thursday by Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc.

Alyssa Valdez is back for her eighth tour of duty for the Philippines, third for the Southeast Asian Games, while former national team players Mika Reyes, Aby Maraño, Denden Lazaro, Dawn Macandili were also named to women’s national team pool. 

Sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Ces Molina, Jia Morado, Mylene Paat, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, and Filipino-American players Kalei Mau, Alohi Robins-Hanfy, and MJ Phillips were selected in the pool where the final lineup for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games will be chosen from. 

Fresh faces are also part of the group with Eya Laure headlining the newcomers that also include Diana Carlos, Kath Arado, Angel Cayuna, Celine Domingo, Jema Galanza, and Jerrili Malabanan.

Shaq Delos Santos will call the shots for the women’s national team with Shaq Esquibel and Kung Fu Reyes as his deputies. 

Marck Espejo, a former five-time UAAP MVP, and John Vic de Guzman, once named captain, will headline the men’s side. 

Also chosen for the men’s team pool are Adbilla Alnakran, Mark Alfafara, Bryan Bagunas, Kim Dayandante, Joven dela Vega, Rex Intal, Ismail Fauzi, Jack Kalingking, Jessie Lopez, Jeffrey Malabanan, Kim Malabunga, Rikko Marmeto, Ricky Marcos, Ish Polvorosa, Francis Saura, Jayvee Sumagaysay, Peter Torres, and Joshua Umandal. 

National University’s Dante Alinsunurin is the men’s team head coach with Ariel Dela Cruz and Sherwin Meneses as his assistants.