Creamline Cool Smashers, fresh from their 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino title win, declined invitations to represent the Philippines in the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup for Women, national team head coach Jorge Souza de Brito revealed.
The Brazilian coach shared the news during the announcement of the national volleyball teams’ new moniker on Wednesday in Mandaluyong City, according to ABS-CBNNews.com.
Only Jia de Guzman, a former Creamline player now with Denso Airybees in Japan’s V.League, accepted the invitation to join the national team.
“The players from Creamline, they are invited. But two of them, they already scheduled something. It’s not that [they weren’t included], they are invited but they denied,” De Brito said. “They cannot [join] now but maybe in the future.”
The names of the Cool Smashers players who were invited but declined were not disclosed.
In contrast, De Brito also mentioned that they requested four players from the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, the PVL’s back-to-back silver medalists, but only two accepted the role. Star spiker and former PVL MVP Sisi Rondina and middle blocker Cherry Nunag will join the national team.
“The Choco Mucho players, they are there. We requested for four but we have two and it’s good,” De Brito said.
The final roster for the AVC Challenge Cup for Women, scheduled for May 22 to 29, includes:
– Jia de Guzman (Denso Airybees, Japan V.League)
– Sisi Rondina (Choco Mucho Flying Titans)
– Cherry Nunag (Choco Mucho Flying Titans)
– Vanie Gandler
– Dawn Catindig
– Dell Palomata
– Fifi Sharma
– Jen Nierva
– Faith Nisperos
– Angel Canino (UAAP standout)
– Julia Coronel (UAAP standout)
– Thea Gagate (UAAP standout)
– Casiey Dongallo (UAAP standout)
– Bella Belen (recently crowned UAAP 86 champion)
– Alyssa Solomon (recently crowned UAAP 86 champion)
De Brito’s comments highlight the challenges the national team faces in assembling a roster amidst the packed schedules of PVL players.
Despite this, the inclusion of notable players from both local leagues and international clubs brings a mix of experience and fresh talent to the national squad.
The national team’s performance in the AVC Challenge Cup will be closely watched, as it serves as a key preparation event for future international competitions.
The participation of high-caliber athletes like De Guzman, Rondina, and Nunag is expected to bolster the team’s prospects.
