The PH men’s volleyball team in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Volleyball Federation is set to release the national team rosters that will be competing in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
PNVF President Ramons “Tats” Suzara said that a bulk of the players will come from the Premier Volleyball League while no collegiate stars will be included into the women’s national team.
“Almost 90 percent will be PVL players because the UAAP players can’t join,” said Suzara. “The list of players will be released this week.”
The Hanoi SEA Games will run from May 12 to May 23 and this will coincide with the proposed UAAP Season 84 schedule.
The men’s team which finished runner-up in the last edition of the games, meanwhile, could have Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas, and Joshua Umandal in time for Hanoi as the men’s division of the 2021-22 Japan V.League season concludes in April while Bahrain’s Isa bin Rashid Volleyball League ends in March.
University of Santo Tomas’ Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez, National University’s Mhicaela Belen, Kamlle Cal, and Ivy Lacina, and Ateneo’s Faith Nisperos are in danger of being left out of the women’s team in the SEA Games.
Although the PNVF is still deliberating the lineup, there are still players who are in strong contention for a roster spot.
Aby Maraño, Rhea Dimaculangan, Mary Joy Baron, Kianna Dy, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Kalei Mau, MJ Phillips, and Dawn Macandili all suited up for Philippine club teams Rebisco and Choco Mucho in the 2021 AVC Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship.
Jaja Santiago and Mylene Paat could play for the Philippines come the SEA Games as the 2021-22 Japan V.League season and the 2021-22 Thailand League will run until April.