Pinays vow to dish out best in Asian Srs

MANILA, Philippines - The national women’s volley team makes its first international stint in eight years as it vies in the 17th Asian Seniors Women’s Volleyball Championship set Sept. 13-21 in Thailand.

Ranged against the region’s super powers, the Power Pinays have no illusion of finishing among the top five but target a finish not lower than eighth in the 16-nation tournament to earn the right to represent the country in this year’s Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

“This is a different level,” said skipper Angeli Tabaquero. “When we get there we will find out how the sport is now being played internationally. It’s a challenge. But we will work harder to match the level of the other countries.”

It’s the first international stint for members of the team sponsored by PLDT Home’s Fibr broadband since 2005.

The Power Pinays are guaranteed to play seven matches in Thailand. They face India on Sept. 13, Iran on Sept. 14 and powerhouse China on Sept. 15.

China has ruled the biennial event a dozen times, Japan three times and Thailand once. Japan reigned in 2007, Thailand in 2009 and China in 2011.

The Philippines, which used to do well in Asian volleyball, was fifth in 1983, 13th in 1991 and 1993, eighth in 1995, 1997 and 2003, and ninth in 2005.

The only time the Philippines hosted the event was in 1997 and the last time it fielded a team to the AVC was in 2005 in Taicang, China.

Gary Dujali, head of PLDT Home’s Fibr broadband, said their support to the team is part of PLDT/Smart big boss Manny V. Pangilinan’s advocacy for sports and youth development.

Head coach Nes Pamilar said if the Philippines wins two of its first three matches, it moves on to the quarterfinals. Otherwise, it is relegated to the classification matches.

The other members of the team are Faye Guevarra, Wenneth Eulalio, Michelle Datuin, Sandra delos Santos, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Honey Royse Tubino, Analyn Joy Benito, Pau Soriano, Rosemarie Vargas, Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone, Angela Benting, May Jennifer Macatuno, Jheck Dionela, Arianne Argarin, Chie Saet and Danika Gendrauli.

Aside from China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines, also vying in the AVC are Kazakhstan, Australia, India, Iran, Mongolia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Chinese-Taipei, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.