Kim Dy replaces Daquis as SEAG reserve

MANILA, Philippines – Rachel Anne Daquis has given up her reserve spot in the National Team seeing action in the 29th Southeast Asian Games set from August 19 to 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc. acting president Peter Cayco on Friday said La Salle star Kim Dy will fill the void left by Daquis, who withdrew because of her studies.

“We talked and she told me she enrolled,” said Cayco of Daquis, who was a member of the Philippine squad that saw action in the 2015 Singapore SEAG.

Dy thus became one of the two team reserves, joining La Salle teammate and libero Dawn Macandili.

Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Abi Marano, Kim Fajardo and Denden Lazaro will spearhead the squad that also consists of Rhea Dimaculangan, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Gen Casugod, Frances Molina and team captain Mika Reyes.

The nationals, who are scheduled to train Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, have not been practicing fully as a team yet because of previous commitments.

They did some workouts on Friday, the day after the LVPI announced the final roster.

On Monday, only Alyssa Valdez was the only player present apart from coach Francis Vicente.

On Friday, practice was also cancelled.

The squad is expected to go all out when it leaves for Japan from July 17 to August 2, or just a couple of weeks before the biennial meet unfurls.