Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 2) — Alyssa Valdez will serve as the team captain of the national women’s volleyball team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, while Vince Raphael Mangulabnan will head the men’s team.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Sunday announced the country’s delegation for the biennial multi-sport event to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia this May.
“These teams are composed of perhaps the most formidable rosters to date with each and everyone of these athletes dedicated and determined to rise to the challenge in Cambodia,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said in a statement.
“With the skills given and dedication to flag and country considered, our coaches put premium on chemistry, on how these players would blend based on the competitions and challenges of the SEA Games,” he added.
Aside from Creamline Cool Smashers’ Valdez, who missed the PVL-All Filipino Conference due to a right knee injury, the national women’s team coached by Jorge Edson Souza de Brito is composed of the following:
— Julia Melissa Morado-De Guzman, Kyla Llana Atienza, Celine Elaiza Domingo, Jessica Margarett Galanza, Diana Mae Carlos, and Michele Theresa Gumabao of Creamline
— Maria Angelica Cayuna and Glaudine Troncoso of Cignal HD Spikers
— Kathleen Faith Arado and Dell Palomata of PLDT High Speed Hitters
— Cherry Rose Nunag and Katrina Mae Tolentino of Choco Mucho Flying Titans
— Mylene Paat of Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
In the men’s team coached by Brazilian Sergio Veloso, AMC-Cotabato’s Mangulabnan will be joined by:
— Joshua Umandal, Lloyd Josafat, Kim Harold Dayandante, Vince Patrick Lorenzo and Jayvee Sumagaysay of AMC-Cotabato
— Rwenzmel Taguibolos and Leo Ordiales of National University-Archipelago Builders
— Manuel Sumanguid III of Cignal
— Jade Alex Disquitado from Iloilo
— Jay Rack Dela Noche of University of Santo Tomas
— Filipino-Americans Steven Charles Rotter, Cyrus Justin de Guzman and Michael Raymund Vicente
Here are the beach volleyball squads coached by Joao Luciano Simao Barbosa:
— Women’s team: Sisi Rondina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Bernadeth Pons, and Floremel Rodriguez.
Rondina and Gonzaga emerged as gold medalists in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures in Subic last December.
— Men’s team: Alnakran Abdilla, Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia, and James Buytrago
The Philippine federation said the volleyball competitions will start two days ahead of the opening ceremony on May 3 at the Morodol Techo Elephant Hall.
For beach volleyball, games will begin on May 11 at Otres Beach in Preah Sihanouk (Sihanoukville) province.
Championship matches are set on May 16.
