CEBU, Philippines - Exciting volleyball action heats up today as the Philippine women’s team clashes with Carcar men’s selection in an exhibition match at the Carcar Sports Complex.
The Nationals will be spearheaded by their team captain Patricia Torres along with Mary Jean Balse, Danielle Michiko Castañeda, Dahlia Cruz, Rubie de Leon, Rhea Dimaculangan Saet, Suzanne Roces, Cindy Velasquez, Ivy Elaine Remulla, Michelle Pauline Datuin and Marietta Carolino.
The RP belles are under the tutelage of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer Thelma Barina-Rojas, who once reigned as the queen of volleyball in Southeast Asia. An best spiker and MVP awardee, she was one of the key players in steering RP into a gold medal finish in the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore.
They can’t represent the country though in the 25th SEA Games this December in Vientiane, Laos because of the order of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping barring teams which failed to win gold of silver last year from participating in the biennial meet.
The last time Philippines participated in indoor volleyball was during the 2005 SEAG in Manila. It was only this year that the women’s volleyball team was reorganized after four years of being dormant due to the retirement of veteran players.
“If you’re free, do watch the game dahil minsan lang ‘to. I am pushing for our women’s team to be formed again. As what I noticed, after our time, we are no longer perfoming well in major competitions.
Now I’m trying hard to bring that fame again and it will be part of my mission for the team,” said Rojas.
Organized by Philip Perez, the friendly match is supported the the local government of Carcar under the leadership of Mayor Patrick Barcenas. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (FREEMAN NEWS)