LVPI eyes 'dynamic' Philippine volleyball pool

MANILA, Philippines – A lot of fireworks and surprises are anticipated when the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. formally announces the composition of the national pool that will see action in the women’s volleyball competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

A federation insider said they are heavily investing in the future so they decided to tap a slew of young talents to join 12 mainstays and three Filipino-foreign standouts in the pool.

Not even a single name had been released, but the source said it’s going to be a tall, athletic, dynamic and very young squad.

“This is a team that can compete even after the SEA Games,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak on behalf of LVPI president Peter Cayco.

The source said head coach Shaq Delos Santos and his deputies in Kungfu Reyes and Brian Esquibel had an active role in selecting the aspirants with Cayco only giving them the stamp of approval.

“Everybody pitched in. It was a collective decision,” the source added.

The team will train regularly and will go full blast as soon as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines is over.

Then, the pool will fly to Japan, China and Korea as part of its buildup for the biennial meet, which is set at PhilSports Arena form 30 November to 15 December.

“It’s still a long way to go,” said the source. “We still have to work hard if we want to return to the medal podium of the SEA Games.”