Fil-American Kalei Mau has finally gotten the green light to play for the Philippine team following the recent approval of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) President Tats Suzara said the FIVB wrote both the PNVF and United States Volleyball, as well the Asian Volleyball Confederation and the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation that the 6-foot-2 Mau could now represent the Philippines in international competitions.
The news came on the same day that Brazilian coach Jorge Souza de Brito has finally secured a visa to join the national women’s team training in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
“These are a couple of good news for Philippine volleyball. With Coach Jorge flying in soon and Mau already available to play for the country, we can now go on full throttle for the women’s national team training,” Suzara said on Wednesday, July 7.
Under the FIVB regulations, a player can only permitted to change federation of origin once and may not change back to the original federation of origin or to a third federation of origin.
Mau, who holds a dual citizenship, was supposed to join the PH team in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games but was disallowed because of her affiliation with USA Volleyball.
Born in Hawaii to a Filipino mother, Mau is currently competing in Puerto Rico’s Liga De Voleibol Superior Femenino as an import for Changas de Naranjito.
She has previously suited up for United Volleyball Club and F2 Logistics in the Philippine Superliga in 2018.