The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) will be sending two national women’s teams and a men’s national squad to represent the country in the Asian Club Volleyball Championships set to take place in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in October according to PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara on Friday (Aug. 27).
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) approved the 20-member national women’s team with Odjie Mamon serving as head coach. The Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship is set to take place from Oct. 1 to 7.
Brazilian consultant Jorge Edson Souza de Brito will pick four more players to complete the two squads that will be composed of 12 players each.
“This will be an excellent exposure for our new young players who will be playing alongside the veterans,” Suzara said, adding that fielding teams to the club championships are one of the PNVF’s commitments to both the Asian Volleyball Confederation and International Volleyball Federation.
The women’s team will train for three weeks starting Sept. 1 at the University of the Assumption Gym in San Fernando before flying to Thailand on Sept. 27.
Also, the PH national men’s volleyball team will see action in the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championships set from Oct. 8 to 15 also in Nakhon Ratchasima. They leave for Thailand on Oct. 4.
Like the women’s team, the men’s volley squad will also train for three weeks at the university facility in Pampanga starting Sept. 1.
The national team training is supported by the PSC, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Rebisco and Taguig City and in cooperation with the city of San Fernando and Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda.
The women’s team is composed of Majoy Baron, Mhicaela Belen, Kamille Cal, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kianna Dy, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina, Eya Laure, Dawn Macandili, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Aby Maraño, Kalei Mau, Ria Meneses, Jennifer Nierva, Faith Nisperos, Mylene Paat, Dell Palomata, Bernadette Pepito, MJ Phillips, Jaja Santiago, Tin Tiamzon and Iris Tolenada.
The coaching staff is made up of assistant coach Grace Antigua, trainers Raffy Mosuela and George Pascua, strength and conditioning coach Paolo Rivero and physical therapist Grace Gomez.
The men’s squad, on the other hand, is made up of Kim Malabunga, Rex Intal, Francis Saura, Manuel Sumanguid, Josh Retamar, Marck Espejo, John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, Ricky Marcos, Jao Umandal, Ysay Marasigan, JP Bugaoan, Jessie Lopez, Kim Dayadante, Joeven dela Vega, Jack Kalingking, Bryan Bagunas, Ish Polvorosa, Nico Almendras and Lloyd Josafat.
Seated (from left): Rex Intal, Jack Kalingking, Manuel Sumanguid, Ricky Marcos, JP Bugaoan, Jessie Lopez, Jao Umandal.
Standing (first row): Joeven dela Vega, Ish Polvorosa, assistant coach Jeff Malabanan, assistant coach Sherwin Meneses, coach Dante Alinsunurin, team manager Michael Verano, assistant coach Dong dela Cruz, strength and conditioning coach Nico Francisco.
Standing (second row): Marck Espejo, Kim Malabunga, Bryan Bagunas, Kim Dayadante, John Vic de Guzman, Mark Alfafara, Ysay Marasigan, Josh Retamar, Francis Saura.
Dante Alinsunurin heads the coaching staff that also includes Dong Dela Cruz, Sherwin Meneses, Jeffrey Malabanan and Enrico Rafael Francisco. (PNVF)
