Jia De Guzman, Solomon lead 20-player Alas pool for SEA Games

November 2 ------ JIA de Guzman will again be at the forefront of Alas Pilipinas’ bid to end a 20-year medal drought at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand in December.

The PNVF formed a 20-player pool featuring PVL standouts, UAAP top guns and overseas-based aces. Leading the Nationals’ offense come the biennial meet are decorated outside hitters Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Shaina Nitura, Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler and Alleiah Malaluan. A newcomer in Kat Tolentino will bolster the opposite wing along with Japan SV.League rookie Alyssa Solomon and Leila Cruz.

The same defensive quintet has been retained to fortify the Alas wall, led by Dell Palomata, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Maddie Madayag and Amie Provido. De Guzman will be backed by La Salle alumni Mars Alba and Julia Coronel as the Philippines’ playmaking trio. Co-captain Dawn Catindig has Justine Jazareno and Jen Nierva manning the floor as the libero troika.

Fil-Americans Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips and Tia Andaya, along with Fil-Australian college ace Shevana Laput, were all excluded from the expanded player pool. From the 19 names will emerge for the final 14 for the SEA Games, set to be named by head coach Jorge Souza de Brito in a few weeks. As per PNVF president Ramon 'Tats' Suzara, there's only one goal for Philippine volleyball in this year's SEA Games. "Nothing less than the gold medal," he said.

Source: spin.ph