SEAG ASPIRANTS. Action picked up in the Philippine men's volleyball team tryouts at the Subic Bay Gymnasium in Olongapo on Thursday (April 29, 2021). The aspirants are fighting it out for a chance to join the national team that will compete in this year’s Hanoi Southeast Asian Games. (Photo courtesy of PNVF)
MANILA – The Subic Bay Gymnasium was filled with spikers all day long on Thursday as 31 men's volleyball players took part in the national team tryouts for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
With a huge contingent joining the tryouts, the session was divided between a morning and an afternoon session.
Longtime Philippine team captain Vic de Guzman led the morning session aspirants.
Also participating in the morning sessions were Mark Alfafara, Jao Umandal, JP Bugaoan, Kim Dayadante, Anthony Ekwenugo, Mark Enciso, Alche Gupiteo, Noel Kampton, Kim Malabunga, Chumson Njigha Jr., Leo Ordiales, Ish Polvorosa, Jian Matthee Salarzon, Ricky Marcos, and Manuel Sumanguid.
Meanwhile, former Ateneo stars Rex Intal and Ysay Marasigan headlined those who tried out in the afternoon.
Also in attendance were Nico Almendras, Leo Aringo, Lloyd Josafat, Joeven dela Vega, Jack Kalingking, Louie Ramirez, John Mark Ronquillo, Kharyl Parce, Rayver Sison and Francis Saura.
“Maayos ang tryouts, una kasi batch by batch ang tryout at sobrang dami ang nag-attend. Makikita mo din na talagang gustung-gusto ng lahat na makapasok sa (The tryouts were organized properly, firstly because it was batch by batch and many attended. You will see that everyone wants to be in the) national team,” de Guzman said.
He lauded the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) for making sure that health and safety protocols amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic are being followed.
Only nine missed out on the tryouts, one of which being Bryan Bagunas, who is completing a 14-day quarantine after arriving from Japan after his stint there.
Following a breakthrough silver medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Games in Pasig, the Philippines is now looking to go for gold in Hanoi later this year.
The tryout series will culminate on Friday with the beach volleyball tryouts for both the senior and the junior divisions. (PNA)
