Pinay spikers fly to Thailand

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Rebisco and Choco Mucho squads left yesterday to represent the country in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship set Oct. 1-7 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Brazilian Jorge Souza de Brito will call the shots for Rebisco while Odjie Mamon holds the rein for Choco Mucho in the weeklong tournament that stakes a berth to the 2021 FIVB Women’s Club Championship slated Dec. 15-19 in Ankara, Turkey.

Choco Mucho, spearheaded by Dindin Manabat, Eya Laure and Jem Galanza, tangles with host team Nakhon Ratchasima at 1:30 p.m. while Rebisco, led by Kalei Mau, MJ Philips, Ria Meneses, Deanna Wong and Dawn Macandili, takes on Altay of Kazakhstan at 7 p.m. Friday.

Zhetyssu of Kazakhstan is next up for Choco Mucho on Saturday while Rebisco battles Supreme Chonburi of Thailand Saturday then Saipa Tehran of Iran Sunday.

Meanwhile, Gel Cayuna has taken the spot of Kat Tolentino at Choco Mucho.

The tourney features seven teams (two each from the Philippines, Kazakhstan and the host country) after several powerhouse teams backed out due to the pandemic.