ALAS Pilipinas co-captains Marck Espejo and Jau Umandal headline the nationals’ 14-man roster for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Men from June 2 to 9 in Isa Town, Bahrain.
READ: Four qualities that set Alas Pilipinas apart from past PH teams
Reigning Spikers Turf (ST) MVP Bryan Bagunas, who is part of Alas’ 21-man training pool, will sit out the tournament to fulfill his club obligations with Win Streak back in Taiwan.
An eclectic mix of college hotshots and Spikers' Turf mainstays comprise the final squad led by National University’s champion quartet of Joshua Retamar, Nico Almendras, Jade Disquitado and Rwenzmel Taguibolos.
LOOK:
Back-to-back UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez will relive his early beginnings in the sport as a libero for the national team, setting aside his natural position as an outside hitter with University of Sto. Tomas.
Completing the AVC-bound lineup are Kim Malabunga, JP Bugaoan, Lloyd Josafat, Leo Ordiales, Joseph Bello, Vince Lorenzo and La Salle’s Noel Kampton.
Apart from Bagunas, members of the extended pool who were not called up for the AVC tilt are NCAA Season 99 MVP Louie Ramirez, Menard Guerrero, Mark Calado, Choi Diao, Sherwin Umandal and Adrian Villados.
Espejo leads tough road for Alas
The Philippines was drawn into Pool A and will be up against the towering fortress that is the world's 31st-ranked side and Asia's No. 5 team China to open hostilities on June 2.
While their women counterparts inch closer to glory on home soil, Alas Men will have to overcome the hosts in front of their home crowd on June 3. Bahrain is ranked 67th in the world and 20th in the continent.
Team captain Espejo, however, says the nationals will be more than up for the challenge of fighting for flag and country in their first international competition of the year.
"Masaya po at super excited kasi for the past years, may mga sumusuporta naman talaga pero ngayon, mas nae-expose pa kami lalo. Isang blessing siya sa aming mga players at coaches at kailangan pa namin ng commitment para mapataas pa lalo 'yung men's volleyball," said Espejo.
"Maaasahan sa'kin 'yung leadership kasi 'di ko naman masasabi na 100 percent ready ako. I'm sure na maraming players from ibang clubs and sa college na alam kong mas angat na rin sa'kin. Tutulong na lang ako sa pagiging role player at (pagdala ng) leadership sa loob and outside the court."
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