MANILA – Ilongga team captain Aby Maraño is headlining the Philippine women’s volleyball team that will compete in the 2018 Asian Games starting Sunday at the Gelora Bung Karno Tennis Indoor Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
This is the first time in 36 years that the Philippines fields a team in women’s volleyball in the Asian Games.
The Philippines will kick off its campaign Sunday against Thailand at 1:30 p.m.
It will face Japan at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Hong Kong at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and Indonesia on Saturday 8 p.m.
Veteran campaigners Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, Cha Cruz, Julia Morado, and Mylene Paat are also in the lineup.
De La Salle University Lady Spikers standouts Mary Joy Baron, Dawn Macandili, Kim Dy, Rhea Dimaculangan, and Denden Lazaro are listed as reserves.
Head coach Ceseal delos Santos said he and his coaching staff – Emilio Reyes and Brian Esquibel – banked on versatility in selecting the players.
“The players we selected can play multiple positions – that’s why we chose them,” said delos Santos, who was tapped to replace resigned national mentor Ramil de Jesus.
“Ibibigay na lang muna namin ang best namin para dito and hindi namin sasabihin na ito agad ang goal namin,” the head coach said. “Sabi ko nga lagi kaming naka-focus muna sa process and then let’s see iyong result nito.”
The Philippines needs to win at least two matches to reach the quarterfinals./PN
