Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Clash of Heroes set

It’s going to be a full-blown war as members of the training pool fight for their respective slots in the national men’s and women’s teams in a one-game showdown dubbed as “Clash of Heroes” on April 28 at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Former Ateneo hotshot Alyssa Valdez and comely spikers Mika Reyes and Rachel Anne Daquis banner the star-studded event organized by the PSC-POC Media Group and Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the benefit of the national squads’ training in Japan and South Korea next month.

Aside from the men’s and women’s matches, there would be a Super Bowl-style pep rally where members of the national men’s and women’s training pool would be formally introduced to solicit support as they embark on their journey to the 29thSoutheast Asian Games.

LVPI acting president Peter Cayco said national coaches Sammy Acaylar of the men’s team and Francis Vicente of the women’s team would be at the sidelines, but will delegate the coaching chores to their deputies so they can just focus on noting how the players are performing.

“This is our way to present the team to the public. They are no longer carrying their university or club teams anymore; they’re now representing our country, the Philippines. And our coaches want to see how they work as one,” said Cayco during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum yesterday at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.

“This is going to be a very crucial event as it serves as the basis of our coaches in choosing the 18 members of the team whom they would bring to Japan and, probably, South Korea for training next month.”

National men’s team assistant coach Macky Carino said they will observe balance and fairness in dividing the 24-man pool, which has been training regularly since it was formed and announced last month.

“As much as possible, we want to come up with a pair of very balanced and competitive team,” said Carino, speaking on behalf of Acaylar. “We’re not looking at their names or past achievements. We will be looking at their commitment and what they’re capable of bringing to the national team.”

Aside from Valdez, Reyes and Daquis, also expected to suit up in the women’s side are Kathleen Faith Arado, Roselle Baliton, Gen Casugod, Lourdes Clemente, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kim Dy, Kim Fajardo, Bia General, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Elaine Kasilag, Denise Lazaro, Dawn Macandili, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Abigail Marano, Ria Meneses, Maika Ortiz, Myla Pablo, Jaja Santiago and Gretchel Soltones.

CJ Rosario and Frances Molina would also be there to replace Dindin Manabat, who crashed with an injury in the recent Philippine Superliga (PSL) wars.

In the men’s side, meanwhile, former SEA Games standouts Johnvic de Guzman will be at the helm together with Ran Abdilla, Mark Alfafara, Geuel Asia, John Paul Bugaoan, Dave Cabaron, Lorenzo Capate, John Carascal, Bonjomar Castel, Louwie Chavez, Mark Deximo, Reyson Fuentes, Jacki Kalingking, Eddiemar Kasim, Ismael Kasim, Jeff Malabanan, Anjo Pertiera, Peter John Quiel, Erickson Ramos, Herschel Ramos, John Kenneth Sarcena, Relan Taneo, Rey Taneo and Peter Torres.

Sandy Montero was also a last-minute inclusion to replace Howard Mojica, who joined an eight-month military training.

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