Sumabak na agad sa matinding ensayo matapos na opisyal na ihayag ng Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) ang kabuuang 36 na manlalaro na bubuo sa men’s at women’s teams na kakatawan sa Pilipinas sa mga internasyonal na torneo partikular na sa darating na 28th Southeast Asian Games sa Singapore.

Ipinakilala nina PVF president Geoffrey Karl Chan at Secretary General Rustico “Otie” Camangia ang mga miyembro ng national pool na susuportahan ng PLDT Home Fibr sa isinagawang press conference sa grand ballroom ng New World Hotel sa Makati City.

“These players were chosen following a rigid screening process by our PVF national team management committee,” sabi ni Chan. “We pray and anticipate that they will make our country proud in next year’s international competition, especially the Singapore SEA Games.”

Ang Philippine women’s team ay pamumunuan ng magkapatid na Dindin at Jaja Santiago, Alyssa Valdez, Mika Reyes, Ara Galang, Kim Fajardo, at Jovelyn Gonzaga, Mikka Ortiz, Rhealine Dimaculangan, Mary Jean Balse, Nerrisa Bautista, Tina Salak, Aiza Maizo-Pointillas.

Makakasama din sa koponan sina Lizless Ann Pantone, Denise Lazaro, Jennylyn Reyes, Honey Royze Tubino at team captain Rachel Ann Daquis habang ang koponan ay hahawakan ni national coach Ramil De Jesus.

Binubuo naman nina Peter Denmar Torres, Alnakran Abdilla, Marck Jesus Espejo, Mark Gil Alfafara, John Vic De Guzman, Paolo Pitrus De Ocampo, Franco Kheeno, Resyon Fuentes, Rodolfo Labrador Jr., Jesse Lopez, Jeffrey Malabanan, Vincent Mangulabnan, Howard Mojica, Sandy Domenic Montero, Raffy Mosuela, Henry James Pecana, Jayson Ramos at John Paul Torres. Gigiyahan ni Arthur “Odjie” Mamon ang koponan.

“We would like to congratulate all of the players for making it to the national pool after passing rigorous tryouts. We are privileged and proud to be a partner of the PVF in this major step in bringing Philippines volleyball back on the world map,” sabi ni PLDT Home marketing head and vice-president Gary Dujali.

“Other countries in Southeast Asia were delighted to learn that we are planning to send our national teams to the SEA Games,” sabi naman ni Camangian.

Ipinaliwanag naman ni Chan na maliban sa SEA Games, halos kabuuan ng national women’s squad ay sasabak din sa aksiyon sa Asian Under 23 Women’s Volleyball Championships na isasagawa sa bansa sa Mayo 2015. (Angie Oredo)