Creating a lot of buzz for the past days, everything has now settled as the final cut of the Philippine women’s volleyball team that shall participate in the upcoming 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games was released earlier today.
The final roster is as follows:
1. Rachel Anne Daquis (Far Eastern University, Petron Blaze Spikers)
2. Bea De Leon (Ateneo de Manila University)
3. Rhea Dimaculangan (University of Santo Tomas)
4. Jovelyn Gonzaga (Central Philippine University, Philippine Army Lady Troopers)
5. Denden Lazaro (Ateneo de Manila University, PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters)
6. Abigail Maraño (De La Salle University, Petron Blaze Spikers)
7. Jia Morado (Ateneo de Manila University)
8. Maika Ortiz (University of Santo Tomas)
9. Jaja Santiago (National University, PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters)
10. Dindin Santiago-Manabat (National University, Petron Blaze Spikers)
11. Gretchel Soltones (San Sebastian College, PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters)
12. Alyssa Valdez (Ateneo de Manila University, PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters)
The team’s head coach will be Roger Gorayeb while its assistant coaches will include Tai Bundit, Edjet Mabbayad and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas. Morever, Maizo-Pontillas was named as part of the coaching staff since Parley Tupaz, current assistant coach of Ateneo, will remain to supervise the regular training sessions for the defending UAAP Women’s Volleyball champions.
Aside from being part of the coaching staff, Maizo-Pontillas also finds herself in a unique situation since she was also named a reserve player for the team in case injuries or other untoward incidents to the players occur.
The Philippines is currently situated in Group B of the tournament together with Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. In addition, other participating countries include Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar.
The volleyball games will take place this coming June 10 to June 15 at the OCBC Arena Hall 2 in Singapore.
All information in this article was made possible through Mr. Julius Manicad of The Daily Tribune.