Despite not attending the Philippine National Volleyball Federation tryouts last April 29 due to injuries, Bryan Bagunas was named as part of the 20-man pool for the men’s national indoor volleyball team.
“We are presenting the men and women of Philippine volleyball who will do battle in two important tournaments later this year,” PNVF President Tats Suzara told the press conference also attended by his secretary general Donald Caringal, National Team Commission chair Tony Boy Liao and coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Alinsunurin also added that Bagunas, who is nursing an MCL injury, will be available for the national team this July.
Bagunas will be joined by 12 more players from the silver-winning squad from the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Back for another round of duty were Marck Espejo, Mark Alfafara, John Vic De Guzman, Rex Intal, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, Jack Kalingking, Jessie Lopez, Ricky Marcos, Ish Polvorosa, Joshua Retamar, and Joshua Umandal.
Completing the squad are newcomers Ysay Marasigan, Nico Almendras, Joeven Dela Vega, JP Bugauan, Lloyd Josafat, Kim Dayandante, and Manuel Sumanguid.
“The tryouts were a success as many players answered the call,” Suzara said. “But what made the tryouts even more successful was that no one from the players nor from the PNVF was infected by the virus.”
Cut from the pool but attended the tryouts last April 29 were Anthony Ekwenugo, Mark Enciso, Alche Gupiteo, Noel Kampton, Chumason Njigha, Leo Ordiales, Jian Matthee Salarzon, Leo Aringo, Louie Ramirez, John Mark Ronquillo, Kharyl Parce, and Rayver Sison.
The men’s team will begin training for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in June also in Subic. They are also eyeing to join the Asian Men’s Championship set to take place in Japan from September 12 to 19.
