THE Philippines will parade an eclectic 16-woman roster in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women, featuring a mix of Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and UAAP standouts.
Former PVL MVP Sisi Rondina leads the pro-laden pool alongside Japan-based setter Jia de Guzman and hard-hitting aces Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler and Faith Nisperos.
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Floor generals Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Jen Nierva will serve as the country's one-two punch on floor defense, with the likes of Cherry Nunag and Dell Palomata manning the net.
Multi-awarded college hotshots were also tapped to join the player pool in ex-UAAP MVPs Angel Canino and Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Thea Gagate, Casiey Dongallo and Julia Coronel.
Although Rondina and Laure knew they'd be missing out on an extended post-conference break coming off deep runs in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, the ex-University of Sto. Tomas bared that they were more than up to heed the call of national team duties despite limited preparation time.
"Sabi ko naman if kaya sana naming magpahinga, kung pwede lang. Pero ayun nga, may nag-request (na sumali kami sa national team) so siyempre karangalan din naman 'yung makapaglaro na bitbit ang bansa. Tatrabahuhin pa rin namin. Sana marami kaming magawang maganda and maganda 'yung maging resulta," said Rondina.
Laure added: "Excited ako na kasama ko na si (ate Sisi) ngayon. This time, mas marami rin akong nilo-look forward na bago kasi nga after how many years, ngayon na lang kami ulit nagkasama ni ate Sisi and ni ate Jia (de Guzman).
"Iba 'yung time talaga nu'ng SEA Games 2019 so looking forward ako sa mga teammates ko ngayon.May mga bagong additions, sila Angel (Canino) kasama rin, so very excited lang sa mga bagong learnings and experiences na makukuha namin as a team."
For the multi-awarded La Salle duo of Canino and Gagate, the opportunity to represent flag and country topped with the chance to learn and grow from veteran stars and pro league standouts make their forthcoming seniors' national team debut one to remember.
"'Yung national team is a big opportunity for us para makita kung ano pa 'yung kulang namin individually and ano pa talaga 'yung kailangan namin or pwedeng gawin sa sarili namin. Iong opportunity na ‘to is to present kung sino talaga kami. We’re given the opportunity to represent our country so we’re very proud of it," Canino said.
"Experience talaga yung nilo-look forward ko kasi ito 'yung chance na maka-experience kami na kasama yung ibang mga ate namin who’s in the pros and at the same time makalaban 'yung mga ibang international teams," added Gagate.
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