Alas men, women pools named

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday named a 21-player pool – headed by Bella Belen, Eya Laure and Alyssa Solomon – for the Alas Pilipinas team to the Asian Games set Sept. 16 to Oct. 3 in Aichi, Japan.

Also named into the pool are former members of the national team that finished fourth in the Thailand Southeast Asian Games in December last year including Jen Nierva, Thea Gagate, Angel Canino, Fifi Sharma, Vannie Gandler, Justine Jazareno and Amie Povido.

Alleiah Malaluan, Nina Ytang, Pangs Panaga, Erika Santos, Arah Panique, Gel Cayuna, Shaina Nitura, Dell Palomata, Dawn Catindig, Mars Alba, Jia de Guzman and Shaira Jardio complete the candidates list.

Coaching the team is Japanese Takayuki Minowa, husband of former national team member Jaja Santiago.

The POC, under president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, retained Italian Angiolino Frigoni as mentor of the Alas men with Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo spearheading the 14-member squad.

Lloyd Josafat, Jude Garcia,  Michaelo Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Al Bukharie Sali, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Ave Joshua Retamar, Josh Ybañez, Adrian Villados, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Kristofer Rodge Alejos and Trevor Valera complete the men’s side.

The appointments of the head coaches take effect on July 1 and expire on Oct. 15. The POC had taken over the national teams while the Philippine National Volleyball Federation is suspended by the FIVB, the sport’s world governing body.