Creamline star Tots Carlos. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines— Tots Carlos and Aduke Ogunsanya have been called up to the Philippine women’s volleyball team for its pair of international friendlies against Thailand and Japan this weekend at San Juan Arena.
The reigning PVL Open Conference MVP from Creamline is set to don the Philippine team jersey for the first time as well as Choco Mucho’s middle blocker as they reinforced the national team in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) International Challenge.
The Filipino Spikers, who had another heartbreaking stint in the 31st Southeast Asian Games after missing the podium anew in Hanoi, Vietnam, are set to battle Thailand on Saturday and Japan on Sunday.
Aduke Ogunsanya (left) during her stint with Choco Mucho. PVL PHOTO
Japan and Thailand have already arrived in the country ahead of the Week 2 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) starting next week at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Testing the two Asian powerhouse teams are SEA Games campaigners Alyssa Valdez, Mylene Paat, Aby Marano, Kat Tolentino, Jema Galanza, Dell Palomata, Majoy Baron, Iris Tolenada, Kyle Negrito, Dawn Macandili, and Kath Arado.
Middle blocker Jaja Santiago won’t be part of the event as she is already in Japan. Cignal’s Ces Molina and Ria Meneses, who played in the biennial meet, were not also part of the list.
The Philippine men’s volleyball team will also have a pair of exhibition matches against Japan on June 16 and Germany on June 27.