The Philippine National Volleyball Federation seeks to clarify to the Philippine Olympic Committee the absence of the men’s national volleyball team in the group stage draw results released by the Cambodia SEA Games organizing committee on Wednesday, April 5.
The groups, which were released through the Cambodia 2023 Facebook page, showed that the men’s team was missing in the draw results while the women’s team was included in the qualification round of the women’s tournament.
The post raised questions regarding the teams participation in the biennial meet although PNVF already insisted that the country will be sending its own representative for the men’s volleyball tournament.
In fact, the men’s national team had already released its roster led by veteran setter Vince Mangulabnan and Spikers' Turf MVP Joshua Umandal, along with Lloyd Josafat, Kim Dayandante, Vince Lorenzo and Jayvee Sumagaysay.
Completing the squad are Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Manuel Sumanguid III, Jade Disquitado, Jay Rack Dela Noche, as well as debuting Fil-Americans Steven Charles Rotter, Cyrus Justin De Guzman and Michael Raymund Vicente.
The team is even set to leave the country for Japan on Sunday to shift its preparations to a higher gear before heading to Cambodia.
On the distaff side, the women’s national team landed on a favorable grouping for the qualification round, avoiding early collision with some of the region’s powerhouse teams
The Alyssa Valdez-led Nationals are grouped with Cambodia, Singapore and last edition’s silver medalists Vietnam in Pool A while reigning champion Thailand and bronze medalist Indonesia were drawn in Pool B, joining Myanmar and Malaysia.
Joining Valdez is Cool Smashers teammates Jia De Guzman, Kyla Atienza, Ced Domingo, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos and Michele Gumabao along with Gel Cayuna, Glaudine Troncoso, Kath Arado, Dell Palomata, Cherry Nunag, Kat Tolentino and Mylene Paat.
The team already kicked off its preparations this week at the Rizal Memorial Center but is also set for a training camp in Japan under Brazilian coach Jorge Souza De Brito.