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Create your own: who would you put in the PH women’s volleyball team?

Noel Zarate

I’ve learned from sources in the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) that October 10 will be when the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will be announcing the sports that the Philippines will send to the 2013 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar. Despite finishing twelfth in the recently concluded Asian Volleyball Federation (AVC) Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship in Nakhor Ratchasima, Thailand, there were many positives the Fibr-Philippines squad achieved in that tournament and has more than a good chance of making the cut for the upcoming biennial meet.

Now I don’t want to preempt that PSC list. I only want to be hopeful that our volleybelles get that chance of participating in the SEA Games for the first time since we hosted it in 2005—where the Filipinas won the bronze medal. But since most of the people who follow this blog are knowledgeable in the sport, let’s help put together that solid “dream team” of the best and brightest in Philippine women’s volleyball.

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If you’ve been following the televised tournaments of the FIVB as well as the Power Pinays’ stint in the AVC, you’ll know that official line-ups consist of twelve (12) members. Before I give you the parameters on how to arrive at that magic dozen, let’s take a look at those who have been making noise on the court and create a list of potential candidates. After that, let’s consider the factors of availability, commitment and intangibles that these “aspirants” may bring to the squad.

Also in forming your team, take into consideration those who are either injured or will most likely decline due to personal reasons—work, family commitments, recuperation, etc. This already eliminates Power Pinay Rosemarie Vargas who is nursing a knee injury. This also casts a shadow of doubt on people like Gretchen Ho, Michele Gumabao, Venus Bernal and Kai Nepomuceno, hence I will not include them on the aspirants list. Everyone else, however, could still be fair game.

Here’s my list of those who could (and should) be tapped for national team duty in a couple of months, by position, in no particular order:

OUTSIDE (25):

Ara Galang

Myla Pablo

Janine Marciano

Joy Benito

Rachel Anne Daquis

Michelle Carolino

Joy Cases

Pam Lastimosa

Fille Cainglet

Angge Tabaquero

Nene Bautista

Danika Gendrauli

Alyssa Valdez

Judy Caballejo

Gretchel Soltones

Aiko Urdas

Wensh Tiu

Stephanie Mercado

Maru Banaticla

Sheila Pineda

Mela Tunay

Jane Diaz

Bernadeth Pons

Angela Benting

Lou-Ann Latigay

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QUICKERS (25):

Mary Jean Balse

Jaja Sanitago

Sandra de los Santos

Maureen Penetrante-Ouano

Royse Tubino

Maica Morada

Frances Molina

Mic-Mic Laborte

Din-Din Santiago

Pau Soriano

Maika Ortiz

Aby Maraño

Charo Soriano

Wenneth Eulalio

Joanne Bunag

Mika Reyes

Remy Palma

Faye Guevara

Michelle Datuin

Cherry Rose Nunag

Janeth Doria

Nica Guliman

Genevieve Casugod

Dafna Robiños

Abby Praca

DIAGONALS (15):

Jennifer Manzano

Dahlia Cruz

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas

Ivy Remulla

Iari Yongco

Jovelyn Gonzaga

Suzette Panis

Siemen Dadang

Rapril Aguilar

Mylene Paat

Cyd Demecillo

Mayeth Carolino

Leuseht Dawis

Samantha Dawson

Suzanne Roces

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SETTERS (15):

Arriane Argarin

Jem Ferrer

Tina Salak

Rhea Dimaculangan

Kim Fajardo

Wendy Ann Semana

Rubie de Leon

Ivy Perez

Janet Serafica

Gyzelle Sy

May Macatuno

April Jose

Chie Saet

Diane Ticar

Mika Esperanza

LIBEROS (10):

Justyne Tadeo

Jheck Dionela

Den-Den Lazaro

Mae Crisostomo

Tin Agno

Melissa Gohing

Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone

Iumi Yongco

Princess Gaiser

Jen Reyes

Now here’s how we’ll proceed. Select three (3) outside hitters, three (3) centers, two (2) utility spikers, two (2) setters, two (2) liberos, and two (2) alternates (regardless of position). That will make our team of twelve plus two reserves who will go to Myanmar. You can also change the selection by going for four (4) openers and just one (1) diagonal, but that’s the only variation we’ll allow. You may also “WRITE-IN” a player whose name does not appear above, just make sure you indicate it by writing “write-in” beside the player’s name in your post.

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I will not include the selection of Head Coach and subsequent coaching staff here as that will be assigned by the PVF, so we’re only dealing with players for the squad.

YOUR POOL CONTAINS ONE HUNDRED (100) OF THE BEST WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS TODAY! Trimming this down to fourteen will be your biggest challenge to date, so let’s see how well you critics and aficionados fare. The PVF could be reading your responses so make it count.

I already have my team in mind, but of course, I will not divulge that here…yet.

Let’s show that we want to have the best team for the SEA Games, guys! Post away!

Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@NoelZarate) and email sportztackle@yahoo.com