De Brito bares wishlist of players for AVC Challenge Cup

Philippine women’s national volleyball team coach Jorge Souza de Brito. –MARLO CUETO/NQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — In his last hurrah as Philippine women’s volleyball team coach, Jorge Souza De Brito has a wishlist of 22 players composed of PVL and UAAP stars for the country’s hosting of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup from May 22 to 29.

De Brito is hoping to have the current best players in the country before he bids farewell to the program when his contract expires on June 30.

“It’s a chance to make something good at home,” the Brazilian coach told Inquirer Sports. “I don’t know if it’s comfortable to play at home because there is also a lot of pressure. But you know, volleyball players are born to play under pressure. I think it’s a good time to play at home.”

READ: Jorge De Brito to step down as PH women’s volleyball coach

The outgoing national team coach is seeking to have PVL stars bannered by Choco Mucho’s reigning MVP Sisi Rondina, Creamline stars Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, Cignal rising star Vanie Gandler, Akari’s Faith Nisperos and Petro Gazz’s Jonah Sabete. 

He is also eyeing Japan V.League setter Jia De Guzman, Cignal’s Gel Cayuna, Petro Gazz playmaker Djanel Cheng, and Mars Alba of Choco Mucho, Nxled wing spiker Ivy Lacsina, middle blockers Dell Palomata of PLDT, Fifi Sharma of Akari, and Cherry Nunag of Choco Mucho, as well as liberos Thang Ponce, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, and Jennifer Nierva.

Completing his 21-player wishlist for the Asian tournament are National University trio Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug as well as University of the East super rookie Casiey Dongallo. De Brito is also considering La Salle’s Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, and Alleiah Malaluan. But the availability of the players from the UAAP Final Four teams and PVL semifinalists is up in the air since both leagues will end in the third week of May.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation has yet to release its line-up for the Challenge Cup, where the national team, which didn’t have the top pro players, finished seventh out of 11 squads last year in Indonesia.

All the names from his wishlist are not yet final also as it depends on the commitment of the players and their respective clubs since De Brito is looking to start his training next week for the Challenge Cup, where they will face Vietnam, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, Iran, Australia, and two teams from India.

De Brito hopes the volleyball players and coaches would make the most of the country’s hosting of international tournaments like the Challenge Cup, the Volleyball Nations League men’s division for the third straight year, and next year’s FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, which can help the sport reach greater heights.

Aside from the Challenge Cup, the Philippine team will see action in a pair of exhibition matches in June before De Brito steps down as coach.