Junior national players Jayrack Dela Noche and Alexander Iraya. PNVF PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Junior players Jayrack Dela Noche and Alexander Iraya will make their international debuts for the Philippines in the Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships on Saturday in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Both Dela Noche and Iraya are products of University of Santo Tomas’ high school program under current national team head coach Paul Jan Doloiras.
“Tell the boys no pressure and avoid dehydration and nervousness,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Philippine National Volleyball Federation President. “Enjoy the games, there’s nothing to lose.”
The Philippines is no.8 in the 13-team men’s competition and was drawn with no.1 Thailand-1 and no.9 Iran-2.
Defending champion Indonesia, no.5 in the competition, is in Pool D with Kazakhstan, Lebanon-2, and Thailand-3.
Australia, the no.2 team in the tournament, is in Pool B with Lebanon-1 and Thailand while Pool C has no.3 Iran, Qatar, and Kazakhstan-2.
The four-day tournament will serve as a qualifier for the International Volleyball Federation U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships.
Dela Noche and Iraya, who both hail from Victorias City in Negros Occidental, will also represent the Philippines in the Asian U21 Beach Volleyball Championships, which is a qualifying tournament for the FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships on July 12.