Alyssa Valdez joins pool of Hanoi Southeast Asian Games hopefuls
ALYSSA Valdez, the face of Philippine volleyball, has finally made it to the 20-player national pool where the country will select who are the 14 to represent the country in the 31st Hanoi Southeast Asian (SEA) Games set May 12-23.
Unpicked the first time, Ms. Valdez, a former SEA Games flag-bearer and national team captain, was given the call on Sunday by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF)after seven who were selected last year begged off because the biennial event will run smack into the UAAP.
“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,” said PNVF president Ramon Suzara.
Other new names to the pool were Ms. Valdez’s Creamline teammate Jia Morado, Ces Molina of Cignal, Jasmine Nabor of Chery Tiggo, Kat Tolentino of Choco Mucho and Kath Arado of PLDT.
The PNVF also included high school standouts Casiey Monique Dongallo and Jelaica Gajero, who impressed in its Champion’s League late last year.
They will join Jaja Santiago, Kalei Mau, Dindin Manabat, Deanna Wong, Iris Tolenada, Dawn Macandili, Dell Palomata, Riri Meneses, Abi Marano, Jema Galanza, Kim Kianna Dy and Mylene Paat.
The PNVF also announced the men’s squad that will be headed by Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, who are both currently playing in Japan as imports.
Meanwhile, the women’s beach volley pool will be headed by 2019 SEA Games bronze medalists Cherry Rondina and Bernadeth Pons while the mean’s will be led by Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton. — Joey Villar
