PINANGUNAHAN nina Philippine National Volleyball Federation President Ramon Suzara at Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino ang pormal na pagpapakilala sa mga miyembro ng Alas Pilipinas na sasabak sa AVC Challenge Cup sa Rizal Memorial Coliseum sa May 22-29. Ang mga ito ay sina Jia Morado, Sisi Rondina, Chery Nunag, Dell Palomata, Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, Vannie Gandler, Eya Laure, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Jen Nierva, Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, at Arah Panique. Kuha ni RUDY ESPERAS
SINABI ni Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito na handang-handa na ang Alas Pilipinas sa Asian Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup na magsisimula bukas, May 22, sa Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“We are prepared for this tournament because our ultimate goal is to win the title and satisfy the hometown crowd who will cheer for us,” sabi ni De Brito sa press conference na pinangunahan nina Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara at Philippine Sports Commission Executive Director Paolo Francisco Tatad.
Dala ang bagong monicker na Alas, makikipagsabyan ang mga Pinay sa mga kalaban para sa pangarap na masungkit ang korona.
Kinatawan ni Tatad si PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann dahil may nauna itong commitment.
Tiniyak ni Suzara na magiging kapana-panabik ang torneo dahil top teams sa Asia ang mga kasali.
“I am expecting the tournament is exciting and interesting because of the quality of competition where top teams in Asia are competing,” sabi ni Suzara.
Pinasalamatan ni Suzara ang PSC at si Bachmann sa tulong pinansiyal sa kumpetisyon.
“First and foremost, my heartfelt gratitude to Chairman Bachmann for the support he extended to the tournament,” sabi ni Suzara.
Ang ibang koponan bukod sa host Philippines ay ang Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Australia, Iran, defending champion Vietnam, India, Singapore at Hong Kong.
Nasa Pool A ang Pinas kasama ang Australia, Chinese Taipei, at Indonesia at nasa Pool B ang Vietnam, India, Singapore, Hong Kong at Kazakhstan.
Ang Alas Pilipinas ay binubuo nina Jia Morado, Sisi Rondina, Chery Nunag, Dell Palomata, Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, Vannie Gandler, Eya Laure, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Jen Nierva, Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, at Arah Panique.
CLYDE MARIANO
