A training camp in Japan is slated next month for the Philippine national men’s volleyball team.
As the the camp is being organized, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation named a new head coach and added three Filipino-American spikers to the roster.
Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso, who arrived in the country last Thursday, is taking over from interim coach Odjie Mamon in the coming days as soon as he gets the 14-member national pool together.
“Next month, we will have a camp in Japan. I need to get everyone together,” said Veloso, following a presentation at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Macapagal Ave., Pasay City.
PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara expressed gladness that Veloso is coming in to coach the national squad, with two months left before the Southeast Asian Games begin.
The 57-year-old Veloso arrived in the Philippines last Thursday and was introduced to three new additions.
The acquisition of the three Fil-American spikers Steven Rotter, Michael Vicente, and Cyrus de Guzman was made possible with the help of Fil-Nation Select founded by Cris Gopez.
A 6’6” opposite spiker from La Palma, California, Rotter has been playing with the AMC-Cotabato Spikers in the Spikers’ Turf.
Vicente is a 6’3” San Jose, California wing spiker, who played in the NCAA Division I, and was taken in following tryouts held in the US, along with De Guzman, a 6’6” middle blocker from New York.
Rotter, Vicente and De Guzman have been practicing with the national pool for the last two weeks.
Last February, the PNVF unveiled the composition of the men’s pool.
The list included Joshua Umandal, Rex Intal, Jade Disquitado, Lloyd Josafat, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Jau Umandal, Vince Lorenzo, Jay Dela Noche, Madz Gampong, Kim Dayandante, Jelex Mendiola, Vince Mangulabnan, Edward Camposano, Jayvee Sumagaysay and Noel Kampton. Peter Atencio
