BY ABBY TORALBA
PRIZED spikers Marck Espejo and Vince Mangulabnan are ready to lead the Philippine men’s volleyball team in the AVC Challenge Cup for Men in Chinese Taipei.
According to Philippine National Volleyball Federation national team commission chairman Tony Boy Liao, Espejo and Mangulabnan flew to Chinese Taipei yesterday to join the team in the 17-squad meet.
With Espejo and Mangulabnan in the team are Joshua Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Rex Intal, Manuel Sumanguid III, Kim Dayandante, Lloyd Josafat, Vince Lorenzo and Fil-American Steven Rotter.
Espejo, Malabunga and Intal are returning to the Philippine squad after missing action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
Also making the squad, which will be mentored by Sergio Veloso, are newcomers Madz Gampong, Chumason Njigha, Noel Kampton and Filipino-American Ryan Ka.
The 17 teams are divided into six groups, with the Philippines in Pool D with Mongolia and Macau.
Pool A is made up of hosts Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan, Pool B features Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand and Koraea, Pool C will have Uzbekistan, India and Hong Kong, Pool E comprises Australia, Pakistan, and Vietnam, while Pool E has Bahrain, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The Philippine squad begins its campaign tomorrow, Saturday, against Macau before taking on Mongolia the day after.
