BY ABBY TORALBA
PROPPED up by the core of Creamline, the Philippines is out to prove its worth in the 2nd Asean Grand Prix set from September 9 to 11 in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Diana Mae Carlos, Jema Galanza, Celine Domingo, Jia De Guzman, Michele Gumabao, Jeanette Panaga and Kyla Atienza will spearhead the Filipina spikers in the coming tilt against Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
But the belles of coach Sherwin Meneses will have to make do without star spiker Alyssa Valdez, who is still recovering from dengue
Valdez last played in the PVL Invitational Conference last month where she was named Best Open Spiker and steered the Cool Smashers to the crown.
The Philippines will begin its campaign in the Grand Prix on Friday against 31st Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Thailand, before taking on Vietnam on Saturday, and Indonesia a day later.
Completing the team are Rose Vargas, Rizza Mandapat, Kyle Negrito, Fille Cayetano, Pau Soriano and Ella De Jesus.
The Philippines wound up sixth — its best finish in the continental meet in the AVC Cup for Women held at home soil last month.
Before the AVC Cup for Women, Creamline ruled PVL Invitational Conference also last August.
