RP to field tall spikers in SEAG

Cebu City — Expect a taller RP men’s volleyball squad in the 23rd Manila Southeast Asian Games.

The Philippine Volleyball Federation, formerly Philippine Amateur Volleyball Association, yesterday said it will beef up the national team participating in the biennial meet slated Nov. 27-Dec. 5 with tall and athletic Filipino-Americans.

"We’ve seen them play, they’re tall and good," said PVF president Roger Banzuela, who is here to personally oversee the Nationals competing in the FIVB World Championship qualifier at the University of San Carlos Gym here.

"They’ve expressed interest in playing for the national team and they would be a big help to us," he added.

Initially, there are six Fil-Ams interested in joining the national team, including setter Christian Tuyay of University of Hawaii and open spiker Justin Schnor of University of Chicago.

Tuyay, in fact, played for the Warriors team that topped the 2002 NCAA Division I tournament while Schnor is the current coach of the men’s team at UC.

Aside from Tuyay, Schnor and company, the PVF is also eyeing Heidi and Hiedder Illustre to play for the national beach volleyball squad. The Illustre sisters, who hail from Bacolod City, are ranked in the American Beach Volleyball Professional Tour.

However, problems, like their education, allowance and board and lodging, could be one of the main concerns of PVF should it decide to tap these Fil-Ams.

Four gold medals are at stake in the SEAG – two in indoor and two in beach volley.

Meanwhile, heavy favorite Chinese Taipei overpowered Tonga, 25-15, 25-18, 25-15, yesterday to boost its stock in the FIVB World Men’s Volleyball Championship qualifier at the University of San Carlos Gym here.

Host Philippines hopes to bounce back from a sorry loss to Chinese Taipei as it takes on 2003 Hanoi Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Indonesia at 4 p.m. today in what could make or break the country’s campaign.

In the other game, Indonesia posted its second straight win by thrashing Macau, 25-17, 25-19, 25-11.