The PH men’s team will look for a better finish in the upcoming SEA Games this time around.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has released its 19-player list for the men’s team that is set to compete in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May.
Headlining the list are Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas. Also part of the pool are Ish Polvorosa, Chumason Njigha, Kim Malabunga, Manuel Sumanguid III, and Vince Lorenzo.
Joshua Umandal, JP Bugaoan, Vince Mangulabnan, Jade Disquitado, and Kim Dayandante are also on the list.
Several collegiate players also made it to the pool. They are: Ian Sumagui, Rwemzel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Michael Buddin, and Joseph Bello of the National University.
UST’s Jay dela Noche and DLSU’s Noel Kampton are also in the selection.
Nomination letters have been given to the athletes, meaning that they have until February 3 to confirm their interest in joining the pool.
The national team, however, will no longer have coach Dante Alinsunurin as its head coach.
Reports say that UST head coach Odjie Mamon will once again coach the national team up until the SEA Games, but no confirmation has been made yet.
The Philippine team is looking to bounce back after its fifth-place finish at the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam last year. In 2019, or when the country hosted SEAG, the men’s team made history by winning the historic silver medal.