MANILA, Philippines — The women’s national team flew to Thailand yesterday to vie in the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship with a morale-boost from SM’s top man Hans Sy.
“I believe in you, I believe you can deliver really good result,” Sy, chairman of SM Prime Holdings, told the national team during a send-off brunch at the Conrad Hotel.
“This is a competition, but it’s not ‘win or lose,’ it’s really the experience you’ll gain and momentum you’ll build,” Sy also told the team composed of the core of the National University Lady Bulldogs and top collegiate players.
With Sy during the send-off were Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal, and Lady Bulldogs team manager Mariano “Bing” See Diet.
The team – coached by Brazilian Jorge Edson Souza de Brito with NU’s Norman Miguel as deputy – is led by University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 Rookie-Most Valuable Player Michaela Belen and fellow NU star Alyssa Solomon.
Also on the team are NU’s Natashza Bombita, Camille Lamina, Shaira Jardio, Minierva Maaya, Evangeline Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, Pearl Denura and Myrtle Escanlar along with incoming rookies Arah Panique and Abegail Pono.
They are joined by Lorene Toring of Adamson University and Nina Ytang of University of the Philippines
The PNVF intends to develop the young team into a fighting squad come 2025 when the country targets to host the FIVB Women’s World Championships.