By Abby Toralba
THE Philippine men’s volleyball team will be up against tough foes in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games next month in Cambodia after being included in the re-draw of the competition.
The Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee shared on its social media pages last Tuesday night the results of the new draw, with the Philippines inserted in Group A.
The national crew, which will be bannered by skipper Vince Mangulabnan and mentored by Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso, will be up against reigning champion Indonesia, host and bronze medalist Cambodia, and Singapore in elimination play.
Current silver medalist is in Group B with Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar.
Philippine volleyball fans earlier this month were stunned with the country’s non-inclusion in the initial draw after a “clerical error” but this was resolved through the efforts of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, the Philippine Olympic Committee and CAMSOC.
The national team is currently preparing for the biennial tourney with a two-week training camp in Japan that this Sunday.
Joining Mangulabnan in team are Joshua Umandal, Lloyd Josafat, Kim Harold Dayandante, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Jayvee Sumagaysay, Manuel Sumanguid III, Jade Disquitado, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, and Jay Rack Dela Noche.
Making their debut for the team are Fil-Americans Steven Charles Rotter, Cyrus Justin De Guzman and Michael Raymund Vicente.
The Philippines finished fifth in the previous SEA Games in Vietnam.
The re-draw was done to determine the rankings in the group, according to Philippine National Volleyball Federation secretary-general Donaldo Caringal.
“The process was simplified and done quickly,” Caringal said.
Cambodia exercised its right of first choice as host and picked the No. 1 spot, followed by Indonesia at No. 2, No. 3 Philippines and No. 4 Singapore.
The hosts, bronze medalist in Vietnam last year, open against lowly Singapore while the Philippines takes on Indonesia.
Indonesia lost to Vietnam in last year’s final, but remains the No. 1 men’s volleyball team in the SEA Games with 11 gold medals.
Philippine Olympic Committee deputy secretary-general Karen Tanchanco joined Caringal in the virtual meeting presided over by Cambodia volleyball federation secretary-general Dr. Aing Serey Piseth. Also in attendance were volleyball officials from Indonesia and Singapore.
