Photo from PNVF
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Tuesday announced the composition of the men’s and two women’s teams bound for next month’s Asian Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand.
The two women’s squads—Team Rebisco and Team Choco Mucho—will be handled by Brazilian consultant Jorge Edson Souza de Brito and Odjie Mamon, respectively.
Dante Alinsunurin will call the shots for the Rebisco men’s team.
Captain Aby Maraño, Eya Laure, Jema Galanza, Faith Nisperos, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Mhicaela Belen, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kamille Cal, Jennifer Nierva and Bernadette Pepito make up Team Rebisco.
Team Choco Mucho, which has Iris Tolenada as its skipper, features Kalei Mau, MJ Phillips, Tin Tiamzon, Kat Tolentino, Mylene Paat, Kianna Dy, Ria Meneses, Majoy Baron, Dell Palomata, Deanna Wong and Dawn Macandili.
Interestingly, stars Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado were not included.
Jaja Santiago also did not make any of the teams due to her commitments with Ageo Medics in the Japan V.League. Santiago left for Japan last Wednesday.
“With these club championships, we are putting in harness the national team program aimed at three major international competitions in 2022,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said. “These are the Asian Games in Huangzhou, Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam and the Asian Senior Women’s Championship that we are hosting in May next year.”
The women’s teams leave for Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Sept. 27 ahead of their scheduled tournament from Oct. 1 to 7.
The men’s squad, which follows on Oct. 4, competes from Oct. 8 to 15.
Alinsunurin’s Rebisco team is composed of captain John Vic de Guzman, Jessie Lopez, Ysay Marasigan, Rex Intal, Mark Alfafara, Nico Almendras, Kim Malabunga, Ish Polvorosa, Francis Saura, Manuel Sumanguid, Josh Retamar, Jao Umandal, Ricky Marcos and JP Bugaoan.
The teams’ composition was unanimously approved by the PNVF board.