FILE–Philippine men’s volleyball coach Sergio Veloso during the country’s first game in the 32nd SEA Games. –CAMBODIA 2023
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine men’s volleyball team continues to gain experience as it opens its Southeast Asian (SEA) V-League first leg campaign against host Indonesia on Friday in Jakarta.
The national team coach Sergio Veloso is fielding new players from his pool with Marck Espejo skipping the tournament to he begin his preparation for his upcoming Korean V-League stint.
Vince Mangulabnan, Ryan Ka, and Rex Intal won’t also be part of the regional meet as Edward Camposano, Cyrus De Guzman, Jayvee Sumagaysay, and NCAA best setter Adrian Villados of Arellano join the roster.
The SEA V-League was founded by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara and Thailand federation president Shanrit Wongprasert.
The Philippines will battle Thailand on July 22, a day before taking on Vietnam. The team with the best record will rule the first leg.
Fresh from a 10th place finish in the AVC Challenge Cup for Men in Taiwan, Jau Umandal will continue to lead the young team bannered Steve Rotter, Noel Kampton, Kim Malabunga, Madz Gampong, Lloyd Josafat, Chumason Njigha, Kim Dayandante, and liberos Manuel Sumanguid and Vince Lorenzo/
The Philippines will host the second leg of the inaugural men’s tournament from July 28 to 30 at Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
“The VLeague aims to further strengthen and develop men’s volleyball in the region,” said Suzara, who had a successful hosting of the Men’s Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League in Pasay City early this month.
The four countries are almost on equal footing in terms of rankings in the International Volleyball Federation or FIVB. Vietnam is the best-ranked men’s team at No. 56, Thailand at No. 58 followed closely by the Philippines at No. 59 and Indonesia at No. 68.
A separate women’s series will also be staged from August 4 to 6 in Vihn Phuc, Vietnam, and from August 11 to 13 in Chiangmai, Thailand.