Sunday, May 14, 2017

Superliga selection set for AWCC

With Foton making the decision to decline participation in the upcoming AVC Asian Women's Club Championship, the Philippine Superliga has opted to send a selection, with an eye towards the upcoming national team international competitions.

Called Rebisco-PSL Manila, Superliga President and Asian Volleyball Confederation Marketing and Development Committee Chairman Ramon Suzara believes that the team is capable of pulling a surprise in the prestigious tournament, which features eight of the best club teams in the continent. He says, "This team is expected to play at a high level." Suzara adds, "This is the first time for us to compete in the AVC Asian club with an all-Filipino lineup because we want to give these players, who are all national pool members, a chance to gain experience against eight of the best club teams in Asia."

The AWCC will take place in Oskemen, Kazakhstan from May 23-30.

Leading the way for Rebisco-PSL Manila are Rachel Anne Daquis, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Jaja Santiago, Frances Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Maika Ortiz, Denden Lazaro, and Rhea Dimaculangan. Complementing the group are Gen Casugod and Lourdes Clemente. They will be displaying their talents in the upcoming Clash of Heroes set to take place tomorrow at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The team will be playing All-Filipino, as participation in this tournament is in line with preparations for the upcoming AVC Asian Senior Women's Championships and the SEA Games.

Current LVPI national team head coach Francis Vicente likes the current composition of the Rebisco-PSL, noting that it is composed of tall players that are capable of being trained to play new positions.

Vicente says, "Asian volleyball is all about speed. But if we will have that speed together with ceiling, I think we will go far. But this is a long process. This is just the start of a very long journey."

Rebisco-PSL is in Group A alongside defending champions and FIVB Women's Club Championships participant Hisamitsu Springs (Japan), Tianjin Bohai Bank (China), and Vietinbak (Vietnam). With their matches taking on May 25-27.

On Group B are ASEAN powerhouse Supreme Chonburi (Thailand), Taiwan Power (Chinese-Taipei), Sarmayeh Bank (Iran), and Altay Volleyball Club (Kazakhstan).

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