Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado part of PH SEA Games pool
Alyssa Valdez of the Philippines attacks the defense of Vietnam during their women’s volleyball match in the 29th Southeast Asian Games. SEA GAMES POOL
MANILA, Philippines—Alyssa Valdez banners the women’s national team pool for the 31st Southeast Asian Games released by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Sunday.
Valdez and Jia Morado are making their return to the pool after their controversial exclusion last year.
The PNVF bared 20 names each for men’s and women’s volleyball and 16 more for beach volleyball.
“The federation approved the recommendation of the national coaching staff for the national pool where we will eventually name the final composition of the teams for the Hanoi SEA Games,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.
Suzara said the coaching staff recommended additional members of the pool because collegiate players won’t be available during the training period and competition schedule of the SEA Games which is set from May 12 to 23.
“It’s unfortunate that our promising young players from the collegiate leagues couldn’t join the pool, and the SEA Games for that matter, because their respective leagues are resuming their competitions before the Hanoi Games,” said Suzara, referring to the UAAP and the NCAA.
Joining Valdez and Morado are the likes of Kalei Mau and Jaja Santiago.
The PNVF had envisioned a national team composed of young and promising players but the circumstances surrounding the collegiate leagues that were shuttered for two years stalled the federation’s goal.
Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, an FIVB-appointed volleyball coach tasked to oversee the country’s women’s national team program, selected the new members of the pool.
Out of the 40 men and women athletes in volleyball, Suzara said 14 will be picked for each gender for the SEA Games. For beach volleyball, four men and four women—two teams each—will be named.
As per the Hanoi SEA Games organizers, the deadline for the submission of entries by names is on March 12.
The men’s volleyball pool is composed of the silver medal-winning team in the 2019 SEA Games led by Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas.
The beach volleyball pool, meanwhile, is made up of the core of the teams that clinched a bronze medal also in the 2019 SEA Games.
Here’s the full list of names for each national team pool:
Volleyball (Women—20 athletes and 4 coaching staff)
Athletes:
1. Iris Janelle Tolenada
2. Jasmine Nabor
3. Maria Deanna Izabella Wong
4. Julia Melissa Morado
5. Dawn Nicole Macandilli
6. Kat Arado
7. Alyja Daphne Santiago
8. Dell Palomata
9. Marivic Velaine Meneses
10. Abigail Maraño
11. Frances Xinia Molina
12. Tyler-Marie Kalei Mau
13. Alyssa Valdez
14. Katrina Mae Tolentino
15. Jessica Margarett Galanza
16. Casiey Monique Dongallo
17. Kim Kiana Dy
18. Mylene Paat
19. Jelaica Faye Gajero
20. Aleona Denise Manabat
Head coach (under FIVB): Jorge Edson Souza De Brito (BRA)
Head coach: Arthur Odjie Mamon
Assistant coach: Grace Rosario Antigua
Assistant coach: George Pascua
Trainer: Raffy Mosuela
Volleyball (Men—20 athletes and 4 coaching staff)
Athletes:
1. Kim Malabunga
2. Ysrael Wilson Marasigan
3. Rex Emmanuel Intal
4. John Paul Bugaoan
5. Francis Phillip Saura
6. Jessie Lopez
7. Manuel Sumanguid III
8. Kim Harold Dayandante
9. Ave Joshua Retamar
10. Joeven Dela Vega
11. Marck Jesus Espejo
12. Jack Kalingking
13. John Vic De Guzman
14. Bryan Bagunas
15. Mark Gil Alfafara
16. Angelo Nicolas Almendras
17. Ricky Marcos
18. Lloyd Josafat
19. Joshua Umandal
20. Esmilzo Joner Polvorosa
Head coach: Dante Alinsunurin, Jr.
Assistant coach: Ariel Dela Cruz
Assistant coach: Sherwin Meneses
Trainer: Jeffrey Malabanan
Beach Volleyball (Women—8 athletes and 2 coaching staff)
Athletes:
1. Cherry Ann Rondina
2. Bernadeth Pons
3. Floremel Rodriguez
4. Genesa Jane Eslapor
5. Jozza Mae Cabalsa
6. Jovelyn Gonzaga
7. Nerissa Bautista
8. Merry Rose Jauculan
Head coach: Paul Jan Doloiras
Assistant coach: Romnick Rico
Beach Volleyball (Men—8 athletes and 2 coaching staff)
Athletes:
1. Jaron Requinton
2. Anthony Lemuel Arbastro, Jr.
3. Jude Garcia
4. James Buytrago
5. Alnakran Abdilla
6. Philip Michael Bagalay
7. Pol Gringo Salvador
8. Jeffer Guerrero
Head Coach: Rhovyl Verayo
Assistant Coach: Jason Gabales
