MANILA – Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga foresees the Philippine women’s volleyball team having a podium finish as they begin their campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games tonight at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Gonzaga, a former Central Philippine University Golden Lions standout, said the team has a great chance of ending the country’s SEA Games medal drought in women’s volleyball and replicate the third place finish in 2005.
“Our cohesion is superb now and may have just the right combination of players to get (the podium finish) done,” Gonzaga said in an interview with ESPN5.com. “We’re going to do our best to get that podium finish.”
She added: “We’ve beaten Vietnam before and we’ve come close against Indonesia. We’re currently at about a seven out of 10 on where we need to be, but we’ll surely be ready.”
Gonzaga also credited the entry of Ilongga and former University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses star Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, who replaced Filipina-Hawaiian Kalei Mau due to eligibility issues.
“The entry of Aiza might even be a blessing in disguise because her international experience would be huge in this tournament,” said Gonzaga.
Aside from Gonzaga and Maizo-Pontillas, also in the roster are team captain and Ilongga Abigail Marano, Mylene Paat, liberos Dawn Macandili and Kath Arado, wingers Alyssa Valdez, Ces Molina and Eya Laure, setters Rhea Dimaculangan and Jia Morado along with middle blockers Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron and Maddie Madayag.
The Ceseal delos Santos-mentored volleybelles opened their campaign tonight against Vietnam to be followed by Thailand on Thursday and Indonesia on Saturday. All games are scheduled at six in the evening./PN
