SKILLS and potentials stood on equal footing with commitment and attitude in the selection of the members of the national men and women volleyball and beach volleyball pool.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation stressed this in a well-attended online press conference yesterday where it announced the 20 men and 16 women who will make up the volleyball pool and the 10 men and as many women for the beach volleyball program.
“In selecting the members of the pool, we put into strong consideration the athletes’ skills and potentials to improve, and as importantly, their dedication to flag and country, and their visibly qualities,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.
The pool is a mix of veterans and collegiate standouts.
Making up the men’s pool are Jessie Lopez, Kim Dayadante, Ish Polvorosa, Josh Retamar, Mark Alfafara, Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas, Jao Umandal, Nico Almendras, John Vic de Guzman, Ysay Marasigan, Joeven dela Vega, Rex Intal, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, JP Bugaoan, Lloyd Josafat, Jack Kalingking, Ricky Marcos, and Manuel Sumanguid.
Named to the women’s pool were Iris Tolenada, Kamille Cal, Faith Nisperos, Ivy Lacsina, Mhicaela Belen, Mylene Paat, Eya Laure, Alyssa Solomon, Aby Maraño, Majoy Baron, Jaja Santiago, Dell Palomata, Ria Meneses, Imee Hernandez, Jennifer Nierva, and Bernadette Pepito. Conspicuously missing from the women’s team is Alyssa Valdez, who did not participate in the tryouts.
Named to the men’s beach volleyball pool were Anthony Arbasto, Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, James Buytrago, Philip Bagalay, Ranran Abdilla, Jade Becaldo, Calvin Sarte, James Pecaña, and AJ Pareja while making up the women’s beach volleyball pool are Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Babylove Barbon, Gen Eslapor, Dzi Gervacio, Dij Rodriguez, Mer Jauculan, Jennifer Cosas, Alexa Polidario, and Erjane Magdato.
Also held was the launch of the PNVF’s official website — http://volleyballphilippines.com — the first for the federation.
“The PNVF website will cater to the needs of the Filipino volleyball fan, as well as our counterparts abroad,” Suzara said. “The website is a work-in-progress, but it will contain news, announcements, videos and photos as well as a data base for all Filipino volleyball players.”
The members of the pool were culled from the three-day tryouts at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone last April 28 to 30 where 40 players for both genders were invited for volleyball and 20 also for men and women for beach volleyball.
“These men and women, may I say, are to become lethal in the next five months or so,” said National Team Commission chair TonyBoy Liao Liao, who joined the press conference from San Mateo, California. “The national coaches took their time in determining who deserves to be in the pool.”
The players will start training in June for both the Asian Seniors Women Volleyball Championship the PNVF is hoping to host in August most likely in Clark, and the Hanoi 31st SEA Games set from November 21 to December 2.
