MANILA – Ilongga Aby Maraño was named captain of the Philippine women’s volleyball team that will compete in various international tournaments later this year.
Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) announced that the native of Passi City in Iloilo province will lead the squad in the Asiad in Indonesia in August and in the Asian Cup in September.
Maraño succeeds Mika Reyes, who headed the national team in last year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga, who handled the captaincy in the 2015 SEA Games.
“Sobra-sobrang saya po na pinagkalooban ako ng ganitong oportunidad,” said Maraño. “Sabi ko nga, noong kabataan ko, pinangarap ko lang maging national team player pero hindi ko inasahan na maging team captain ako.”
“Tinatanggap ko ng buong puso ang responsibilidad na ipinataw sa akin at nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na nanghingi ako ng pan de sal pero burger ang binigay niya sa akin so doble-doble iyong blessings,” she added.
LVPI plans to announce the 20 players that will compose the national women’s volleyball team under head coach Ceseal delos Santos in the days to come.
As part of the national team’s build-up for the twin tournaments, it will participate in the 2018 Philippine Super Liga Invitational Conference, which starts June 23./PN
