BY ABBY TORALBA
VOLLEYBALL star Alyssa Valdez banners the 14-member Philippine team set to do battle in the AVC Cup for Women that kicks off this Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation announced yesterday that 14 players of Creamline, which ruled the recently concluded PVL Invitational Conference, will fly the flag in the continental tournament from Aug. 21 to 29.
Completing the squad are Jia De Guzman, Jema Galanza, Diana Mae Carlos, Risa Sato, Ced Domingo, Michele Gumabao, Jeanette Panaga, Ella de Jesus, Pau Soriano, Kyla Atienza, Fille Cayetano, Kyle Negrito, and Rose Vargas.
Sherwin Meneses will call the shots, to be assisted by Karlo Santos and Bok Morado and strength and conditioning coach Mark Caron.
In the 2018 edition of the tilt in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, four players — Valdez, De Guzman, Galanza and Sato — suited up for the squad that finished ninth.
According to the PNVF, the Philippine squad resumed its training yesterday at the PhilSports Arena.
The Nationals, who are bracketed in Pool A, will begin their campaign against Vietnam on Sunday before taking the day off the next day.
The team resumes its bid against China on Tuesday and faces Iran the following day before wrapping up pool play eliminations against Korea on Thursday.
Pool B, on the other hand, was reduced to four teams after the withdrawal of Kazakhstan last Tuesday.
Japan, Thailand, Chinese-Taipei, and Australia are in Pool B.
The Philippine team needs to finish in the top four of Pool A to advance to the quarterfinals of the competition.