BRYAN Bagunas and Marck Espejo will headline the first-ever Philippine team to compete in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
The FIVB released the final 14-man rosters on Wednesday of all 32 teams set to descend in Manila for the biggest edition of the global conclave in its 76-year history.
The Nationals will take on world No. 43 Tunisia in their World Championship debut on Friday, 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: Can Alas Men pounce on undermanned Pool A in FIVB Worlds?
They will have a four-day break before returning to action against perennial African champion Egypt on Sep. 16 and Asian giant Iran to close out Pool A hostilities on Sep. 18.
National team veterans Owa Retamar, Kim Malabunga and Jack Kalingking, all part of the silver-winning squad in the 2019 SEA Games, have earned the right to represent the country again in its biggest international stint yet.
Also making the final cut are key players from National University’s multi-titled core in Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos and Jade Disquitado.
Former UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez and former NCAA MVP Louie Ramirez will both be taking flight in the world stage, as well.
Completing the 14-strong roster are Lloyd Josafat, Vince Lorenzo and Eco Adajar.
The final cuts
Back in August, Frigoni submitted a provisional 21-player shortlist that had a mix of obscure names and familliar mainstays.
Among the most notable cuts were UAAP Season 87 MVP Kennedy Batas and Fil-American winger Steven Rotter who is a former SEA V.League best opposite hitter and the reigning Spikers' Turf (ST) Finals MVP.
Veteran middle blocker and Cignal captain JP Bugaoan didn't make the final 14, as well as fellow ST ace in Savouge's John Michael Paglaon and Visayan under-21 standout Ike Andrew Barilea.
Fil-foreign duo in middle blocker Luca Mamone from Italy and setter Elijah Tae-Yin Kim also didn't make the final lineup.
Here are the 14 members of the Philippines' World Championship-bound team:
OUTSIDE HITTERS
- Bryan Bagunas (captain)
- Marck Espejo
- Buds Buddin
- Jade Disquitado
- Vince Lorenzo
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
- Kim Malabunga
- Peng Taguibolos
- Lloyd Josafat
OPPOSITE HITTERS
- Leo Ordiales
- Louie Ramirez
SETTERS
- Owa Retamar
- Eco Adajar
LIBEROS
- Josh Ybañez
- Jack Kalingking
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