PNVF to send two women's national teams, one men's squad to Asian club tourney

Instead of clubs, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has decided it will send three national teams to the Asian Women's and Men's Club Volleyball Championship that Thailand is hosting in October.

The federation on Friday said it will field two national women's squads in the tournament slated from October 1 to 7 in Nakhon Ratchasima while one men's team will banner the Philippines in the contest happening from October 8 to 15.

"This will be an excellent exposure for our new young players who will be playing alongside the veterans,” said PNVF president Ramon "Tats" Suzara.

The women’s side will set up a training camp for three weeks starting September 1 at the University of the Assumption Gym in San Fernando and will leave for Thailand on September 27.

Their men counterpart, meanwhile, will also train at the Pampanga University beginning on September 1 before flying to Thailand on October 4.

The women's team is led by Majoy Baron, Kalei Mau, Mylene Paat, Jaja Santiago, Eya Laure, Dawn Macandili, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Aby Maraño, and Ria Meneses.

Completing the squads are Mhicaela Belen, Kamille Cal, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kianna Dy, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina,  Jennifer Nierva, Faith Nisperos, Dell Palomata, Bernadette Pepito, MJ Phillips, Tin Tiamzon and Iris Tolenada.

Initially, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) had approved a 20-member women's team but Suzara bared that head coach Odjie Mamon and Brazilian consultant Jorge Edson Souza de Brito will pick four more players to form two teams with 12 players each.

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.

—JMB, GMA News