MANILA — Western Visayas’ top volleyball talents will spearhead the country’s campaign in the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) named Negrense Angel Canino and Ilongga Amie Provido among the key members of the Alas Pilipinas women’s pool, while Negrense Bryan Bagunas leads the men’s roster for the Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 continental meet in Japan.
The women’s pool features Negrenses Angel Canino, Arah Panique, and Shaira Jardio, Ilonggas Amie Provido and Jennifer Nierva, and Aklanon Dell Palomata, underscoring Western Visayas’ strong contribution to the national squad.
Also included in the women’s pool are Mhicaela Belen, Eya Laure, Jia De Guzman, Justine Jazareno, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Vanessa Gandler, Alleiah Malaluan, Nina Ytang, Janette Panaga, Erika Santos, Marionne Alba, Maria Angelica Cayuna, Alyssa Solomon, Shaina Nitura, and Dawn Macandili-Catindig.
The men’s pool is headed by Negrense Bryan Bagunas and fellow Negrense Leo Ordiales, along with Marck Espejo, Lloyd Josafat, Jude Garcia, Michaelo Buddin, Al Bukharie Sali, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Joshua Retamar, Josh Ybañez, Adrian Villados, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Kristofer Rodge Alejos, and Trevor Torio.
According to POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, POC secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan has informed Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni and Japanese mentor Takayuki Minowa of their reappointment as head coaches of the Alas Pilipinas men’s and women’s teams, respectively.
Their appointments will take effect on July 1 and run until Oct. 15.
The POC has also sought the full support of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), through president Ricky Palou and commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, as most members of the women’s pool are currently playing for PVL clubs.
The player pools are composed largely of athletes who represented the Philippines in last year’s FIVB Men’s World Championship, which the country hosted, and the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok.
The POC is currently overseeing the country’s national volleyball program while the Philippine national volleyball federation remains suspended by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
Under its mandate, the POC supervises and manages Philippine national teams competing in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games.
The deadline for the submission of the official Entry by Name to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee is on July 1./PN
