“VALDEZ, GONZAGA, MARAÑO, ORTIZ AND DAQUIS TO COMPETE IN THE VIETNAM SHOWPIECE.” SAID L-V-P-I SEC-GEN RICKY PALOU.

More than a month now, after the country’s come back campaign in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore, it seems like doors and windows of opportunities has opened for the Philippine Volleyball.

This month, the country is set to send the National Volleybelles in the VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup in Vietnam, to give another exposure to the Pinay squad after their medal-less campaign in the biennial regional sports fest.

In the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum in Shakey’s Restaurant in Malate, Manila, PTV Sports had a one-on-one interview with the Larong Volleyball SA Pilipinas Incorporated Secretary General Ricky Palou, in which he revealed the five names that are assured in the lineup of the Vietnam-bound team.

These names are national hitter Alyssa Valdez, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Abegail Maraño, Maika Ortiz and Rachel Anne Daquis.

Alyssa Valdez

Jovelyn Gonzaga

Abegail Marano

Maika Ortiz

Rachel Anne Daquis

“I had a chance to talk to Abby (Maraño), Jovelyn Gonzaga and Maika Ortiz. They said that they are willing to join this team, so we’re happy with those developments. I understand that Rachel Daquis is also re-thinking her trip to Canada. Hopefully, she’ll be able to re-schedule her trip and be part of this team.” said Palou.

In addition, Palou also admitted that their mission in the L-V-P-I (official NSA for Volleyball in the Philippines) is to give the local squad continuous competitions abroad to level up their talents and skills against foreign counterparts.

”Ang gusto namin talaga, sumali sa mga iba-ibang invitational or regular foreign tournaments para magkaroon ng experience yung mga local players natin. Kasi nakita namin sa Southeast Asian Games, yun yung naging problema noh…” Palou added.

Aside from the anticipated Vietnam joust, LVPI group also planning to have a stable national pool of players that they will use in the bigger volleyball tournaments like the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games in particular.

“Pagdating ng team from Vietnam, by that time we will have a list of 18 players para sa women’s (team) and 18 players para sa men’s (team) pool. Isa-submit namin ito sa Philippine Sports Commission para ma-recognize rin sila as the official pool of the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas.” said Palou.

The Vietnam event is slated to officially open on the 25th of July and will run until the 1st day of August.