Volleyball officials led the sendoff for the national men’s and women’s national teams competing in two continental club tournaments in Thailand starting next week.
The sendoff was held last Saturday at the De La Salle Sentrum in Lipa City, with Philippine National Volleyball Federation Honorary chairman Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Taguig City District 2 Rep. Lani L. Cayetano, PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Secretary General Don Caringal and National Team Commission chairman Tonyboy Liao attending the afternoon affair.
The women’s teams, represented by Team Rebisco and Team Choco Mucho, have just wrapped up their month-long bubble training in Lipa City and will leave on Tuesday (September 28) to compete in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship slated from October 1 to 7 in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The men’s squad, which will carry the name Team Rebisco, will wind down its bubble training in Lipa City this week and will fly to Thailand on October 4 for the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship set from October 8 to 15 also in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Former House Speaker Cayetano of Taguig City, reaffirmed his being the federation’s “godfather” as he rallied the athletes to represent the country well despite the tremendous challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
All three teams’ preparations and participation for the Asian championships are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco and Taguig City.
The two women’s teams is made up of 24 athletes, eight coaches and one referee, while the national men’s squad is composed of 18 athletes, seven coaches and one referee.
Aby Maraño is the team captain of Team Rebisco, with Brazilian consultant Jorge Souza de Brito as its head coach, while Iris Tolenada will be the skipper for the Odjie Mamon-mentored Team Choco.
Handled by coach Dante Alinsunurin, Jessie Lopez is Team Rebisco’s team captain.