THE Philippines will welcome back several key cogs as both indoor squads head to the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games, with their familiar cores set to lead the country’s charge in the quadrennial meet.
According to the roster released by the Philippine Sports Commission on Friday night, Angel Canino and Amie Provido will return to the women’s squad.
Meanwhile, Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo are back with the men’s team after missing the SEA V Cup earlier this year.
Creamline’s Jia De Guzman will once again anchor the women’s squad at setter, with Akari’s Mars Alba providing another option at the position.
Dawn Catindig of Choco Mucho and Justine Jazareno of Akari, meanwhile, will share libero duties.
Bella Belen (Capital1), Canino (La Salle), and Eya Laure (Choco Mucho) will comprise the outside hitters, while Alyssa Solomon will be the squad’s lone opposite spiker.
Completing the women’s team are middle blockers Thea Gagate (Denso), Dell Palomata (PLDT), Provido (La Salle), and Niña Ytang.
The Philippines will open its Pool B campaign against powerhouse China at 12 noon (Manila time) on Wednesday at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium.
On the men’s side, Bagunas (Osaka) will once again team up with Espejo (TSG Skyhawks) on the wings, alongside Buds Buddin (National University) and Jude Garcia (Criss Cross).
Adrian Villados (Criss Cross) and Greg Ancheta (National University) will serve as the team’s playmakers, while Josh Ybañez will be the squad’s lone libero in the quadrennial meet.
Leo Ordiales (NU) will man the opposite position alongside Lirick Mendoza (Far Eastern University), while Peng Taguibolos (NU), Lloyd Josafat (Criss Cross), and Josh Magalaman (NU) will comprise the middle blockers.
The Philippines will go up against South Korea to begin its Pool D bid on Sept. 27, 12 noon at the Park Arena Komaki.
Meanwhile, the beach volleyball teams will also march into Aichi-Nagoya with familiar faces, led by the country’s top pairs on both sides.
Veterans Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, along with rising stars Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella of University of Santo Tomas, will represent the women’s team.
Ranran Abdilla and Ronniel Rosales, as well as Lerry Francisco and James Buytrago, will banner the men’s side.
The beach volleyball competitions will kick off on Sept. 20 at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.
