FILE – Bryan Bagunas for Oita Miyoshi. Photo from Bryan Bagunas’ Facebook
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine men’s volleyball team will have huge reinforcements come the Philippine leg of the Southeast Asia (SEA) V-League, starting this Friday in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The anticipated returns of Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas will come to fruition as their names were included in the Nationals’ lineup released by Volleyball Philippines on Wednesday.
Both athletes have been missing action for the Philippines due to several reasons.
Bagunas skipped the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia for his wedding. It was the first time he missed action for the Nationals in six years since his inclusion to the team.
Espejo, meanwhile, also begged off from the biennial event alongside Manuel Sumanguid, JP Bugaoan, and Chu Njigha, who will also make his return to the national team.
Filipino volleyball star Marck Espejo. –SPIKERS TURF PHOTO
Still included in coach Sergio Veloso’s team is Steven Rotter, who took home Best Opposite Hitter in the SEA V-League’s 1st Leg.
Completing the 14-man lineup are Joshua Umandal, Vince Mangulabnan, Vince Lorenzo, Ryan Ka, Kim Malabunga, Adrian Villados, Edward Camposano, Rex Intal, Lloyd Josafat and Manuel Sumanguid.
The Philippines suffered a 0-3 card in the 1st Leg in Indonesia.