The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) announced on Wednesday the members of the pools that will comprise the men's, women's, beach men's, and beach women's teams for several major competitions later this year, including the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
All 16 players who were able to attend the tryout for the women's national team in Subic last April were shoo-ins in the pool, and these names will be submitted to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) soon.
However, according to coach Odjie Mamon, the list is still incomplete since there is still a need to add setters, liberos, and outside hitters. PNVF head Ramon "Tats" Suzara noted that around "four to six" players will still be added to the women's pool since they aim to fill up to 25 people for the pool.
Notable exclusions from the list include outside hitters Alyssa Valdez, Myla Pablo, and Kalei Mau; setter Jia Morado, and libero Dawn Macandili. Mamon and incoming Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito will determine the additional members of the pool.
"They will be selected during the start of the PVL and of course, from the previous competitions," Suzara said of the selection process during a virtual press conference. "We cannot have another tryout because it's too costly. It's so costly to have another tryout in Subic," he added.
The current women's indoor pool features:
(* member of the 2019 SEA Games team)
Setters
1.Iris Tolenada (Unattached)
2. Kamille Cal (NU)
Outside Hitters
3. Faith Nisperos (Ateneo)
4. Ivy Lacsina (NU)
5. Mhicaela Belen (NU)
Opposites
6. Mylene Paat (Chery Tiggo) *
7. Eya Laure (Chery Tiggo) *
8. Alyssa Solomon (NU)
Middle Blockers
9. Aby Maraño (F2 Logistics) *
10. Majoy Baron (F2 Logistics) *
11. Jaja Santiago (Chery Tiggo)
12. Dell Palomata (Air Force/Sta. Lucia)
13. Ria Meneses (PetroGazz)
14. Imee Hernandez (UST)
Liberos
15. Jennifer Nierva (NU)
16. Bernadette Pepito (UST)
The women's team is also preparing for the AVC Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, which will likely be hosted by the Philippines.
If the Filipinos do get the hosting nod, the competition will start on Aug. 27 in Clark, Pampanga. PBA and FIBA "bubble" host Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Sports and Cultural Center will be the main venue of the tournament, while the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, also in Pampanga, and the Subic Bay Gym will serve as secondary hosts.
On the other hand, 20 men were named to the pool that is also gearing up for the AVC Asian Men's Volleyball Championship in Chiba, Japan this September. A total of 13 members of the silver medal team in the previous SEA Games were named to the pool this time.
These are:
(* member of the 2019 SEA Games team)
Setters
1. Jessie Lopez (Air Force) *
2. Kim Dayadante (Go for Gold)
3. Ish Polvorosa (Unattached) *
4. Josh Retamar (NU/Sta. Elena) *
Outside Hitters
5. Mark Alfafara (PLDT) *
6. Marck Espejo (Cignal) *
7. Bryan Bagunas (Go for Gold) *
8. Jao Umandal (PLDT) *
9. Nico Almendras (NU/Sta. Elena)
Opposites
10. John Vic de Guzman (PLDT) *
11. Ysay Marasigan (Cignal)
12. Joeven dela Vega (Navy)
Middle Blockers
13. Rex Intal (Cignal) *
14. Kim Malabunga (Go for Gold) *
15. Francis Saura (Go for Gold) *
16. JP Bugaoan (Cignal)
17. Lloyd Josafat (UE/PLDT)
Liberos
18. Jack Kalingking (Navy) *
19. Ricky Marcos (Go for Gold) *
20. Manuel Sumanguid (Cignal)
The men's and women's camps are set to start in June 1 at Subic.
Meanwhile, the beach volleyball teams will head to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte next week to participate in a training "bubble" for the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup calendared for June 14-17.
They are the following:
Beach Volleyball Men
(* member of the 2019 SEA Games team)
1. Anthony Arbasto (Creamline)
2. Jude Garcia (Creamline) *
3. Jaron Requinton (Creamline) *
4. James Buytrago (Creamline) *
5. Philip Bagalay (Creamline)
6. Ranran Abdilla (Air Force/Creamline) *
7. Jade Becaldo (Cebu)
8. Calvin Sarte (Davao)
9. James Pecaña (PLDT)
10. AJ Pareja (Creamline), and;
Beach Volleyball Women
(* member of the 2019 SEA Games team)
1. Sisi Rondina (Creamline) *
2. Bernadeth Pons (Creamline) *
3. Babylove Barbon (UST)
4. Gen Eslapor (UST)
5. Dzi Gervacio (Creamline) *
6. Dij Rodriguez (Creamline) *
7. Mer Jauculan (UST)
8. Jennifer Cosas (Abanse Negrense)
9. Alexa Polidario (Abanse Negrense)
10. Erjane Magdato (Abanse Negrense)