MANILA – MRT-Negros aims to show that provincial teams will not be pushovers in the PNVF Champions League men’s division that will open today at the Aquamarine Recreational Center in Lipa, Batangas.
According to MRT-Negros team manager Andre Ea, the Negros Occidental-based squad is determined to show that they can go toe-to-toe with established clubs in the tournament.
Ea also shared that the MRT-Negros started its build-up for the competition last August with a series of tryouts in Negros Occidental and Panay Island.
“I saw the progress of the MRT-Negros team and they displayed great potential to win the PNVF Champions League title,” Ea said. “I expect the team to give their best each game.”
“This team will showcase the individual skills of Negrenses and we will be all-out to show that Negros Occidental is a powerhouse of volleyball athletes who will represent Philippine volleyball in the future,” he added.
MRT-Negros is to be led by University of the Philippines’ Clark Fernandez, National University’s Leo Ordiales, Far Eastern University’s Benny Martinez and Mapua University’s Kade Parreño.
Also in the team were University of St. La Salle-Bacolod standouts Remart Tabara, Jopeth Torico, Louie Pudadera, Jhun Kahulugan and Christian Marcelino.
Completing the team were Jian Salarzon of Living Stone International School, Gadpray Aresgado of EB Magalona National High School, Jet Nonoy of Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod, Johnlloyd Pedroso of Colegio de Santa Ana de Victorias and Ralph Canino.
Handling the MRT-Negros squad is coach Ralph Savellano with Michael Larroza and Eddie Yogore Jr. serving as his assistant coaches.
MRT-Negros is in Pool B of the competition along with Team Dasma, Global Remit and Sabong International Spikers. The Negrenses will open their campaign on Monday against Sabong./PN