The Philippine National Volleyball Federation named 40 athletes for volleyball, led by volleyball star Alyssa Valdez, and 16 players for beach volleyball to the national pool for the Hanoi 31st Southeast Asian Games.
There are 20 athletes each for the men and women divisions for volleyball and eight apiece also for both genders for beach volleyball.
“The federation approved the recommendation of the national coaching staff for the national pool where we will eventually name the final composition of the teams for the Hanoi SEA Games,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.
Suzara said the coaching staff recommended additional members of the pool because collegiate players won’t be available during the training period and competition schedule of the SEA Games which are set from May 12 to 25.
Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, an FIVB-appointed volleyball coach tasked to oversee the country’s women’s national team program, selected the new members of the pool.
Out of the 40 men and women athletes in volleyball, Suzara said 14 will be picked for each gender for the SEA Games. For beach volleyball, four men and four women—two teams each—will be named.
The deadline set by the Hanoi SEA Games organizers for the submission of entries by names is on March 12.
The men’s volleyball pool is composed of the silver medal-winning team in the 2019 SEA Games.
The beach volleyball pool, on the other hand, is made up of the core of the teams that clinched a bronze medal also in the 2019 SEA Games. The teams:
Volleyball (Women—20 athletes and 4 coaching staff)
Athletes: 1. Iris Janelle Tolenada; 2. Jasmine Nabor; 3. Maria Deanna Izabella Wong; 4. Julia Melissa Morado; 5. Dawn Nicole Macandilli; 6. Kat Arado; 7. Alyja Daphne Santiago; 8. Dell Palomata; 9. Marivic Velaine Meneses; 10. Abigail Maraño; 11. Frances Xinia Molina; 12. Tyler-Marie Kalei Mau; 13. Alyssa Valdez; 14. Katrina Mae Tolentino; 15. Jessica Margarett Galanza; 16. Casiey Monique Dongallo; 17. Kim Kiana Dy; 18. Mylene Paat; 19. Jelaica Faye Gajero; 20. Aleona Denise Manabat
Head Coach (under FIVB): Jorge Edson Souza De Brito (BRA); Head Coach: Arthur Odjie Mamon; Assistant Coach: Grace Rosario Antigua; Assistant Coach: George Pascua; Trainer: Raffy Mosuela
Volleyball (Men—20 athletes and 4 coaching staff)
Athletes: 1. Kim Malabunga; 2. Ysrael Wilson Marasigan; 3. Rex Emmanuel Intal; 4. John Paul Bugaoan; 5. Francis Phillip Saura; 6. Jessie Lope 7. Manuel Sumanguid III; 8. Kim Harold Dayandante; 9. Ave Joshua Retamar; 10. Joeven Dela Vega; 11. Marck Jesus Espejo; 12. Jack Kalingking; 13. John Vic De Guzman; 14. Bryan Bagunas; 15. Mark Gil Alfafara; 16. Angelo Nicolas Almendras; 17. Ricky Marcos; 18. Lloyd Josafat; 19. Joshua Umandal; 20. Esmilzo Joner Polvorosa; Head Coach: Dante Alinsunurin, Jr.; Assistant Coach: Ariel Dela Cruz; Assistant Coach: Sherwin Meneses; Trainer: Jeffrey Malabanan