MANILA, Philippines - Simple lang ang gustong mangyari ng Philippine girls youth volleyball team sa paglahok ng bansa sa Asian Youth Girls U-17 Championship sa Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand sa unang pagkakataon matapos ang mahabang panahon.
Sinabi ni Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) secretary-general Otie Camangian na first time ngayon sa unang pagkakataon na lalahok ang youth team sa tournament makaraang magtapos bilang pang-11th sa 2008 edition ng torneo sa Philsports Arena.
“We placed 11th out of 16 teams. We hope to surpass that considering this will be the first time the PVF will be sending a national squad to an international meet under the leadership of president Karl Chan,” sabi ni Camangian sa Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum kahapon sa Shakey’s Malate. “We’re looking to make the quarterfinals because we want to maximize the exposure of the team.”
Ang Philippines ay nasa Pool C kasama ang po-werhouse China, India, at Australia.
Ang 14-man youth team roster ay kinabibilangan nina Ezra Gyra Barroga, Rica Diolan, Justine Dorog, Christine Dianne Francisco, Ejiya Laure, Maristela Geen Layug, Kristine Magallanes, Nicole Anne Magsarile, Maria Lina Isabel Molde, Jasmine Nabor, Faith Janine Shirley Nisperos, Roselyn Rosier, Alyssa Marie Teope at Catlin Viray.