THE Philippines women’s volleyball program got a boost on its bid for redemption in the coronavirus-stalled Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi this May, as Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado, the country’s biggest stars, were included in the national pool.

There are 20 athletes each for the women and men divisions for volleyball and eight apiece also for both genders for beach volleyball, the federation posted on its official website yesterday.

“The federation approved the recommendation of the national coaching staff for the national pool where we will eventually name the final composition of the teams for the Hanoi SEA Games,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.

Suzara said the coaching staff recommended additional members of the pool because collegiate players from the UAAP and the NCAA won’t be available during the training period and competition schedule of the SEA Games which are set from May 12 to 23.

“It’s unfortunate that our promising young players from the collegiate leagues couldn’t join the pool, and the SEA Games for that matter, because their respective leagues are resuming their competitions before the Hanoi Games,” said Suzara.

Among those who are not available are University of Santo Tomas’ Eya Laure, Ateneo’s Faith Nisperos and National University’s Mhicaela Belen, Kamille Cal, Ivy Lacsina and Jennifer Nierva.

The PNVF, Suzara stressed, envisioned a national team composed of young and promising players but the circumstances surrounding the collegiate leagues that were shuttered for two years stalled the federation’s goal.

Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, an FIVB-appointed volleyball coach tasked to oversee the country’s women’s national team program, selected the new members of the pool.

Valdez and Morado, who were part of the SEA Games 2019 squad which placed fourth, were not included in the pool last year which the Brazilian coach formed to restart the program.

Among the new names in the SEA Games pool who were not part of the national pool which competed in Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima last year are Jaja Santiago, Kath Arado, Ces Molina, Kat Tolentino, Jasmine Nabor and high school standouts Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero.

Holdovers Iris Tolenada, Deanna Wong, Dawn Macandili, Dell Palomata, Ria Meneses, Aby Maraño, Kalei Mau, Jema Galanza, Kim Kianna Dy, Mylene Paat and Dindin Santiago-Manabat will also vie for roster spots in the biennial meet.

Suzara said 14 will be picked for each gender for the SEA Games.

Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas and Jao Umandal, who are currently plying their wares overseas, lead the men’s pool, which forms the core of the squad that won the silver in 2019.

Kim Malabunga, Ysay Marasigan, Rex Intal, JP Bugaoan, Francis Saura, Jessie Lopez, Manuel Sumanguid III, Kim Dayandante, Josh Retamar and Joeven Dela Vega were also in the pool.

Completing the men’s list are Jack Kalingking, John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, Nico Almendras, Ricky Marcos, Lloyd Josafat and Ish Polvorosa.

Meanwhile, the beach volleyball pool, on the other hand, is made up of the core of the teams that clinched a bronze medal also in the 2019 SEA Games. Four men and four women — two teams each — will be named for the Hanoi competition.

Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons banners the women’s pool, which also has Dij Rodriguez, Gen Eslapor, Jozza Cabalsa, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Nene Bautista and Mer Jauculan.

Krung Arbasto and Jude Garcia leads the men’s pool, which also has Jaron Requinton, James Buytrago, Ranran Abdilla, Pemie Bagalay, Pol Salvador and Jeffer Guerrero.