SKILLS and potentials stood in 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 (PNVF) announced in a well-attended virtual press conference on Wednesday afternoon the 20 men and 16 women who make up the volleyball pool and the 10 men and as many women for the beach volleyball program.
“We are presenting the men and women of Philippine volleyball who will do battle in two important tournaments later this year,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara told the press conference also attended by his secretary general Donald Caringal, National Team Commission chair TonyBoy Liao and coaches Dante Alinsunurin (volleyball men), Odjie Mamon (volleyball women), Paul Jan Doloiras (beach volleyball men) and Rhovyl Verayo (beach volleyball women).
“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 inate qualities,” Suzara added.
The pool is a mix of veterans and collegiate standouts.
Simultaneous with the announcement of the national pool members was the launch of the PNVF’s official website philippinevolleyball.com, the first ever 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.
“The tryouts were a success as many players answered the call,” Suzara said. “But what made the tryouts even more successful was that no one from the players nor from the PNVF was infected by the virus.”
“These men and women, may I say, are to become lethal in the next five months or so,” said Liao, who joined the press conference from the US. “The national coaches took their time in determining who deserves to be in the pool.”
Also tops in the national coaches’ priorities in the selection of the pool members were the qualities a player possesses as based on how the teams could neutralize traditional Southeast Asian Games power Thailand, Indonesia and even Vietnam.
“The positions and how the teams would be like in terms of strength and ability to respond while in distress were also considered in the selection process,” Suzara said.
Mamon and his assistant, meanwhile, are still in the process of naming a setter, outside hitter, libero and opposite to complete the women’s volleyball pool.
In the men’s pool, 13 are members of the team that clinched the silver medal behind Thailand in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, while the women’s pool has four players also from the 2019 squad that wound up in fourth place.
The veterans from the 2019 SEA Games which salvaged bronze medals at the 2019 SEA Games are also back for another tour of duty.
The pools 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.
The National Pool:
Volleyball Men
Setters
1. Jessie Lopez (Air Force) *
2. Kim Dayadante (Go for Gold)
3. Ish Polvorosa (Unattached) *
4. Josh Retamar (NU/Sta. Elena) *
Outside Hitters
5. Mark Alfafara (PLDT) *
6. Marck Espejo (Cignal) *
7. Bryan Bagunas (Go for Gold) *
8. Jao Umandal (PLDT) *
9. Nico Almendras (NU/Sta. Elena)
Opposites
10. John Vic de Guzman (PLDT) *
11. Ysay Marasigan (Cignal)
12. Joeven dela Vega (Navy)
Middle Blockers
13. Rex Intal (Cignal) *
14. Kim Malabunga (Go for Gold) *
15. Francis Saura (Go for Gold) *
16. JP Bugaoan (Cignal)
17. Lloyd Josafat (UE/PLDT)
Liberos
18. Jack Kalingking (Navy) *
19. Ricky Marcos (Go for Gold) *
20. Manuel Sumanguid (Cignal)
Volleyball Women
Setters
1. Iris Tolenada (Unattached)
2. Kamille Cal (NU)
Outside Hitters
3. Faith Nisperos (Ateneo)
4. Ivy Lacsina (NU)
5. Mhicaela Belen (NU)
Opposites
6. Mylene Paat (Chery Tiggo) *
7. Eya Laure (Chery Tiggo) *
8. Alyssa Solomon (NU)
Middle Blockers
9. Aby Maraño (F2 Logistics) *
10. Majoy Baron (F2 Logistics) *
11. Jaja Santiago (Chery Tiggo)
12. Dell Palomata (Air Force/Sta. Lucia)
13. Ria Meneses (PetroGazz)
14. Imee Hernandez (UST)
Liberos
15. Jennifer Nierva (NU)
16. Bernadette Pepito (UST)
Beach Volleyball Men
1. Anthony Arbasto (Creamline)
2. Jude Garcia (Creamline) *
3. Jaron Requinton (Creamline) *
4. James Buytrago (Creamline) *
5. Philip Bagalay (Creamline)
6. Ranran Abdilla (Air Force/Creamline) *
7. Jade Becaldo (Cebu)
8. Calvin Sarte (Davao)
9. James Pecaña (PLDT)
10. AJ Pareja (Creamline)
Beach Volleyball Women
1. Sisi Rondina (Creamline) *
2. Bernadeth Pons (Creamline) *
3. Babylove Barbon (UST)
4. Gen Eslapor (UST)
5. Dzi Gervacio (Creamline) *
6. Dij Rodriguez (Creamline) *
7. Mer Jauculan (UST)
8. Jennifer Cosas (Abanse Negrense)
9. Alexa Polidario (Abanse Negrense)
10. Erjane Magdato (Abanse Negrense)
*Retained from 2019 SEA Games team