NEWLY-MINTED UAAP women’s volleyball Rookie-MVP Mhicaela Belen headlines the list of the 22-member national pool for AVC Cup set on August 21-29 at the Philsports Arena.

Belen, who led the Lady Bulldogs in ending a 65-year championship drought last month, has also her teammates Camilla Lamina, Alyssa Solomon, Ivy Lacsina, libero Jennifer Nierva and Kamille Cal included in the pool filled with collegiate standouts for the continental tournament.

Other players in the pool are La Salle’s Alleiah Malaluan, Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, Fifi Sharma, Jolina dela Cruz and Mars Alba, University of Santo Tomas’ Eya Laure, Imee Hernandez and Det Pepito, Ateneo’s Faith Nisperos, Vanie Gandler and AC Miner, University of the Philippines’ Alyssa Bertolano, Adamson’s Louie Romero and Trisha Genesis, and California Precision Sports’ Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero,

The announcement was made yesterday by national coach Jorge de Brito, as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation has found a new partner in lighting giant Akari in building up the future of the women’s national team program.

PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara formally welcomed Akari as a new member of the PNVF family, as the partnership will usher in with the AVC Cup on August 21-29 at the Philsports Arena.

“Today is a milestone for the PNVF. This is just the start with new, young fresh players for the AVC Cup,” said Suzara in the signing ceremony yesterday at the Golden Bay Restaurant in Pasay City.

Also present were PNVF Secretary-General Don Caringal, Deputy Secretary General for International Affairs Ricky Palou, National Team Committee chairperson Tony Boy Liao, Akari Sports Director Russel Balbalcal and team manager Mozzy Ravena.

Akari, which has committed to the sport of volleyball with its grassroots work since 2015, as well as its support of the Adamson sports program, particularly with women’s volleyball, men’s basketball and cheerdance, is ready to lend a hand with the PNVF in the program.

Supporting the future of Philippine volleyball is what is Akari is doing for PNVF.

“We are looking forward to help the national team the every way we can,” said Balbalcal, who represented Akari President Christopher Tiu.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado