Two Philippine-based club teams left the country on Tuesday evening, heading to Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand for the 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship.
The two teams are the Jorge Souza de Brito-coached Rebisco PH and Odjie Mamon-mentored Team Choco Mucho.
Composing Rebisco are Aby Marano, Jema Galanza, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, and Rhea Dimaculangan. They join young guns Eya Laure, Faith Nisperos, Mhicaela Belen, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, Jennifer Nierva, and Bernadette Pepito.
On the other hand, Choco Mucho will have Iris Tolenada, Kalei Mau, MJ Phillips, Tin Tiamzon, Mylene Paat, Kianna Dy, Ria Meneses, Majoy Baron, Dell Palomata, Deanna Wong, Dawn Macandili, and Gel Cayuna.
Cayuna becomes the third setter of Choco Mucho after replacing Kat Tolentino, who had to leave the bubble citing “health and safety concerns.”
Mau is currently heading to Thailand, boarding a connecting flight from the US to Korea before heading to Bangkok.
In the group stages, Choco Mucho will face Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima on October 1 at 1:30PM. They then battle Kazakhstan’s Zhetyssu the next day.
Rebisco will be running the gauntlet as it takes on Kazakhstan’s Altay on October 1 at 7:00 PM. They then face Thailand’s Supreme Chonbu at 4:30 PM on October 2 and Iran’s Saipa on October 3.
Mamon hopes that both teams can execute what they trained during their Batangas bubble training come the tournament.
“When it comes to the physical conditioning of the players I’m confident about that, ‘yung sa individual skills. They have that kaya sila nasa national team,” said Mamon.
“Pero ang volleyball, team effort, so ‘yung team skills that’s what we lack at the moment.”
Besides the 24 players, the team has eight coaches and one referee in its delegation.
