The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) will send a total of three teams to the Asian club tournaments that will be played in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand in October.
PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said that there will be two Philippine teams in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship and one in the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.
The Philippine Sports Commission recently approved a 22-member national women’s team and Suzara said that head coach Odjie Mamon and Brazilian consultant Jorge Edson Souza de Brito will choose two more players to form the two 12-women teams.
“This will be an excellent exposure for our new young players who will be playing alongside the veterans,” said Suzara, adding that fielding teams to the club championships is one of the PNVF’s commitments to both the Asian Volleyball Confederation and International Volleyball Federation.
The women’s teams fly to Thailand on Sept. 27 for their tournament that will be played from Oct. 1 to 7.
The men’s team, meanwhile, will leave on Oct. 4 for their tournament what will take place on Oct. 8 until 15.
Pampanga training
Both teams will train at University of the Assumption Gym in San Fernando, Pampanga, with both the men and women’s squads starting their preparations on Sept. 1.
The women’s pool is so far composed of Majoy Baron, Mhicaela Belen, Kamille Cal, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kianna Dy, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina, Eya Laure, Dawn Macandili, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Aby Maraño, Kalei Mau, Ria Meneses, Jennifer Nierva, Faith Nisperos, Mylene Paat, Dell Palomata, Bernadette Pepito, MJ Phillips, Jaja Santiago, Tin Tiamzon and Iris Tolenada.
Assistant coach Grace Antigua, trainers Raffy Mosuela and George Pascua, strength and conditioning coach Paolo Rivero and physical therapist Grace Gomez make up Mamon’s staff.
The men’s squad, on the other hand, will be picked from a pool made up of Kim Malabunga, Rex Intal, Francis Saura, Manuel Sumanguid, Josh Retamar, Marck Espejo, John Vic de Guzman, Mark Alfafara, Ricky Marcos, Jao Umandal, Ysay Marasigan, JP Bugaoan, Jessie Lopez, Kim Dayadante, Joeven dela Vega, Jack Kalingking, Bryan Bagunas, Ish Polvorosa, Nico Almendras and Lloyd Josafat.