Skills and potentials stood in equal footing with commitment and attitude in the selection of the members of the women’s indoor volleyball team.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) announced the 16 women who make up the volleyball pool.
“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 women’s head coach Odjie Mamon.
Only four players from the 30th Southeast Asian Games team were retained in Aby Marano, Majoy Baron, Eya Laure, and Mylene Paat.
Jaja Santiago returns to the national team.
Completing the squad are setters Iris Tolenada and Kamille Cal; outside hitters Faith Nisperos, Ivy Lacsina, and Mhicaela Belen; middles Dell Palomata, Ria Meneses, and Imee Hernandez; and liberos Jennifer Nierva and Bernadette Pepito.
All 16 players were part of the tryouts held in Subic last April 28.
Mamon and his coaching staff said they are still in the process of naming a setter, outside hitter, libero, and opposite to complete the 20-member women’s volleyball pool.
This will be determined through the players’ performance in the Premier Volleyball League.
The pools will start training in June for both the Asian Seniors Women Volleyball Championship the PNVF is hoping to host in August most likely in Clark and the 31st Southeast Asian Games.