Alyssa Valdez and Marck Espejo will once again banner the Philippines’ women’s and men’s national volleyball training pool for the upcoming 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia this coming May.
Valdez, who is still recuperating from a right knee injury, will be joined by her Creamline teammates Jia De Guzman, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Ced Domingo, and Kyla Atienza in the 17-player pool for the women’s division.
PLDT’s Mika Reyes, Dell Palomata, Jules Samonte, and Kath Arado were also invited to the training pool as well as Mylene Paat of Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz’s MJ Phillips, Cignal’s Gel Cayuna, and the Choco Mucho pair of Kat Tolentino and Cherry Nunag.
Also part of the training pool are Lia Pelaga and Riza Nogales of University of the East.
Over at the men’s side, Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who is still in Taiwan playing for Win Streak volleyball club, will once again lead from the front.
Jau Umandal (Cotabato), JP Bugaoan (Cignal), Manuel Sumanguid III (Cignal), Kim Malabunga (Imus), Ish Polvorosa (Imus), and Kim Dayandante (Cotabato) will also return for another tour of duty for the national team.
Also part of the group are Vince Mangulabnan, Chumason Njigha (Cignal), Jade Disquitado (Iloilo), and Vince Lorenzo (Cotabato).
College players Michael Buddin, Jann Sumagui, Joseph Bello, Leo Ordiales, and Rwenzmel Taguibolos of National University, La Salle’s Noel Kampton, and Jay Dela Noche of University of Sto. Tomas will complete the group.
Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza de Brito will once again call the shots for the women’s team while interim head coach Odjie Mamon, who replaced Dante Alinsunurin, will take over the men’s side.
