By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After a month of deliberation, there will be a total of three teams that will represent the Philippines in the upcoming 2021 AVC Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The mainstay Rebisco volleyball team and a team backed by Choco Mucho will carry the banner of the women’s division approved by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
The Rebisco team will be led by long-time team captain Aby Maraño and will be coached by Brazilian legend Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.
Backstopping the veteran Maraño in the Rebisco squad are Jema Galanza, Eya Laure, Rhea Dumaculangan, Dindin Santiago-Manabat. Faith Nisperos, Mhicaela Belen, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, Jennifer Nierva, and Bernadette Pepito.
Meanwhile, the Choco Mucho team will be filled with seasoned players such as Kalei Mau, MJ Phillips, Kat Tolentino Majoy Baron, Mylene Paat, Kianna Dy, Ria Meneses and Dawn Macandili.
PH women’s national volleyball squad head tactician Odjie Mamon will be calling the shots for Choco Mucho.
Aside from the development in the women’s final roster, the PNVF also released its men’s pool that will fly to Thailand for the Asian Men’s Club Championship.
Despite missing its two top players in Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, the men’s team will still have John Vic de Guzman, Jessie Lopez, Rex Intal, Mark Alfafara, Kim Malabunga, Ish Polvorosa, Francis Saura, Josh Retamar, Jao Umandal and Ricky Marcos.
