Pinay spikers open bid in ASEAN G’Prix

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s volleyball team finally gets to test its mettle in an official tournament as it faces three other countries in the inaugural ASEAN Grand Prix beginning today at the Terminal 21 Mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Fresh from a 12-day training camp in Bangkok that included tune-up games against the Thailand national team and a Japan ballclub, the Nationals set out against Indonesia at 3 p.m. (Manila time), kicking off the tournament serving as part of their build-up for the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Manila later this year.

“We learned a lot from the training camp, every match we felt that we are getting better. Conditioning-wise and skills, we are good,” said head coach Shaq delos Santos.

The Nationals, however, will be playing without ace hitter Alyssa Valdez who suffered an ankle injury just before her scheduled departure for Thailand.

But Delos Santos remains confident of his wards’ chances, citing the presence of seasoned players like skipper Aby Maraño, Ces Molina, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Jovelyn Gonzaga with Fil-Am scoring sensation Kalei Mau backstopping the squad.

“These are mostly veteran players. They can make do with what’s given. We will do our best under the circumstance,” added Delos Santos.

The Nationals will next take on Thailand and then Vietnam this weekend.

Other members of the team are Mylene Paat and Eya Laure along with middle blockers Majoy Baron, Roselyn Doria and Maddie Madayag, liberos Kath Arado and Dawn Macandili as well as setters Jia Morado and Alohi Robins-Hardy.

Meanwhile, the Philippines will host the second leg of the ASEAN GP on Oct. 4-6 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.