MANILA, Philippines - Members of the men’s and women’s training pool gear up for a battle royale as they step up their respective bids for berths in the SEA Games-bound national teams in the Clash of Heroes on April 28 at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The event is an exhibition affair in nature but will serve as part of the selection process for the men’s and women’s teams seeing action in the SEAG in Malaysia in August.
The men’s aspirants will clash at 4 p.m. before the 25-player women’s pool mixes it up at 6 p.m. in the first of a three-leg series with the other two to be held in Cebu and Davao in May.
“This will serve as one of our bases so we could trim down the 25-man training pool to 18. We will look into how well they will perform in the match and not on their names. That’s why they have to give it all they have got. Our goal in the SEA Games is to be on top so it is their abilities that will be considered,” said Nene Ybanez-Chavez, assistant coach of the national women’s volleyball team, during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City yesterday.
“Others said that there were well-known players who did not make it to the pool. So this will also serve as our proof that they will not be picked if they do not perform.”
Chavez added that the selection will be based on skills, attitude and how well the players communicate with the other members of the team.
Those who will not make it to the 18-man roster will still be part of the pool as reserve players.
The men’s and women’s teams will be divided into two groups, respectively, in the exhibition match but the composition of each team will be mixed up in each leg where the right balance in the final lineup will be sought.
Making up the men’s pool are Alnakran Abdilla, Mark Alfafara, Geuel Asia, John Paul Bugaon, Dave Cabaron, Lorenzo Capate, John Carascal, Bonjomar Castel, Louwie Chavez, John Vic De Guzman, Mark Deximo, Reyson Fuentes, Jack Kalingking, Eddiemar Kasim, Ismael Kasim, Jeff Malabanan, Sandy Montero, Anjo Pertiera, Peter John Quiel, Erickson Ramos, Herschel Ramos, John Sarcena, Relan Taneo, Rey Taneo and Peter Torres.
Vying in the women’s side are Kathleen Arado, Roselle Baliton, Geneveve Casugod, Lourdes Clemente, Rachel Daquis, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kim Dy, Kim Fajardo, Fatima General, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Elaine Kasilag, Dennise Lazaro, Dawn Macandili, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Dindin Manabat, Aby Maraño, Ria Meneses, Frances Molina, Maika Ortiz, Myla Pablo, Mika Reyes, CJ Rosario, Jaja Santiago, Grethcel Soltones and Alyssa Valdez.