By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
With four players from the Rebisco squad yet to clear health and safety protocols upon arriving in Thailand, the team decided to tweak the roster in order to add more players.
“The four players’ swab samples weren’t immediately cleared by local health authorities as the results were elevated to Bangkok where the main lab of Thai Dept of Disease Control is based,” said PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Kim Kianna Dy and Majoy Baron, originally slated to play for the Choco Mucho team in the 2021 Asian Women’s Volleyball Club Championship, were shipped to Rebisco to follow league rules regarding the roster number and avoid a tournament disqualification.
“You cannot have only eight players on a team which is bound to play so many number of matches. It’s a sound decision to balance the team, besides, all of the athletes in Thailand are members of the national team,” added Suzara.
Despite the late changes in the team, Rebisco reportedly conducted practice sessions with their two newest members.
The towering duo of Dy and Baron will be joining a talented Rebisco pool composed of Aby Maraño, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jema Galanza, Rhea Dimaculangan, Eya Laure, Faith Nisperos, Mhichaela Belen, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, Jen Nierva, and Bernadette Pepito.
Meanwhile, the Choco Mucho team members are Iris Tolenada, Kalei Mau, MJ Phillips, Deanna Wong, Mylene Paat, Ria Meneses, Dell Palomata, Gel Cayuna, Tin Tiamzon and Dawn Macandili
